ACT Reviews 2022-2023 Season

NOW AND THEN by Sean Grennan Directed by Ken Redfern Droylsden Little theatre once again welcome the Association through their doors. Even though it was chilly outside the welcome received was warm as I have now come to love when reviewing a DLT play. Tonight, was a special evening, as I attended the UKs premier production of “Now and Then” written by Sean Grennan. Set in the early 80s in an Irish American Bar in the windy city itself. We meet a young bartender Jamie (Cameron Kennedy) closing up for the evening, when there is a flash of light. Moments later an older gentleman, Jamie (Ian Chatterton) enters the bar for a quick pint. The conversation progresses to the subject of Jamie’s aspirations to have a career as a pianist, and that he is just about to leave his job to rehearse and play some ‘gigs’. Jimmy encourages Jamie to take the bull by the horns and tells him he will regret it if he doesn’t take this leap of faith. In an interview with the playwright, Sean Grennan, he said, “The germ of the show is a word I (he) once saw when I was reading something, the word was enouenent, it means wistful sadness of not telling your younger self of what you know now.“ This story echoes that of the famous 1998 romantic comedy “Sliding Doors”, but instead of catching a train, it all depends on the decision Jamie makes, and how, in turn, it will affect the course of his life and his happiness. I absolutely loved the slight twist at the end, which, I have to admit, I was hoping for (I’m afraid you will have to read/watch the play to find out!) This small cast, of only four players was like a slick, well-oiled machine,

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