BOUNCERS & SHAKERS

On the 22nd of November, eight Sixth Form students took to the stage of the Salon Varietes in Fuengirola and gave us a night to remember. Their production of ‘Bouncers’ & ‘Shakers’ will be talked about for a long time to come. The programme notes said it all:- ‘Tonight we present for you two plays by John Godber (‘Shakers’ co-written with Jane Thornton). Each play is about working class Britons at play. The four bouncers and cocktail waitresses take us on a fast moving journey, to various locations, introducing us to an array of characters, drawn from many aspects of modern society. “Yes all human life is inevitably here!” Although they are hilariously funny, they act as a warning about the darker elements of suburban nightlife; the language used reflects this. These plays are not for the faint-hearted! Please enjoy but beware!’

The following review appeared in the SUR in English - 1st December 2000

On Wednesday 22nd November, the Salon Varietes played host and sponsor to the English International College drama students, who performed two plays in one, John Godber’s “Bouncers” and “Shakers”. Both plays, which are set in a north of England nightclub, reflect the lives of young people as seen through the eyes of the four bouncers or the four shakers (waitresses). The pieces were quite brilliantly produced and directed by Bridget Lyons, the EIC Head of Drama, with the novel opening of utilising the “Bouncers” in the auditorium prior to commencement, moving the audience into their seats!

The plays were very professionally performed and the pathos was not lost on the audience as the players cleverly switched characters (and occasionally gender) to illustrate the mood or message of the moment. The soliloquies of “Lucky Eric”, played by Oliver Harrison, and the insight into teenage pregnancy offered by Mel, played by Jenna Buck, were heart-rending. However, this was interspersed with many very funny moments that had the audience rocking, certainly the exchanges between Carol, played by the outstanding Liz Saxton, and Adele, played by the equally effective Emma Jones, were the stage equal of French and Saunders or even Victoria Wood and Julie Walters at their best. A wonderful evening. If this is the standard of drama in our schools then we want more and the Salon Varietes should be thanked in abundance for their foresight and wisdom in sponsoring this venture.

The rehearsal schedule was paticularly gruelling!	"Miss, she's blocking me again!"
Hmmm!	Lewis's new dance never really caught on.