Eldroth September 2013
The
people of the rural communities of Austwick and Lawkland were
intrigued earlier in the summer to read the glowing reviews of a show
at Grassington Festival by two of their residents – Christine
Hooley and Veronica Caperon. So it was no surprise that the
picturesque little church at Eldroth was full to capacity for a home
performance of their creation, the curiously titled A Double Dose
of Lippy Logic.
| Christine (left) and Veronica |
No-one
was disappointed. The engaging personalities and wicked sense of
humour of the two ‘women of a certain age’ sparked off each other
from the start. This continued through the links between the four set
pieces of the show and especially during their anarchic sketch Up
the Garden Path (which involved four members of the audience
accompanying on garden tools the duo’s mauling of English
Country Garden).
Whilst
the warm humour and sharp ad-libbing was the thread holding the show
together, the real strength was the more serious dramatic pieces, one
in each half. The first, Two Friends, had the audience in rapt
silence as the nature of a personal tragedy and its effect on the
relationship of two close friends gradually unfolded. The second, The
Birthday Wish, was in the challenging form of a monologue,
bringing together Veronica’s formidable writing skills and
Christine’s remarkable ability to get under the skin of the
characters she portrays. In both pieces the characters truly came to
life, leaving the audience wishing they could get to know them
better.
The
final piece, a short series of poems written and read by Veronica,
showed yet another side of her original and perceptive way of looking
at the world as well as her skill with words.
The
whole performance was absorbing and thought provoking and was
concluded with a reprise of English Country Garden – and
therein lies the only criticism. A short additional piece that
brought together the wonderful comic talents of these two performers
would have rounded off a remarkable evening’s entertainment
perfectly. We shall hear more of Lippy Logic. Robert
Clarke Craven Herald
Thought
things went very well last night. Could hear the audience listening.
Greatly admired the props - simple and very effective. Towards
the end the monologue tips over into something profound. Enjoyed
the first dialogue, tension all the way through. And a lovely venue.
It's good that such an interesting building can be put to so
much use. Jean Harrison
I
did enjoy your show on Saturday evening – well done – superb. PH
I
loved the poems! BH
Settle a week later: the pair took part in "Settle Sessions" a series of evenings through the year bringing short stories and poetry to the masses - or trying to!
Headline Act was Mike Barlow, National Poetry Prize winner and lots of other accolades - his take on "The Birthday Wish" which Christine performed as part of Veronica's literary contribution:
"It was an altogether very friendly and enjoyable evening. I thought Veronica's monologue was real quality and the performance utterly convincing".
Grassington Fringe Show June 2013 - click here
