Drinking Habits

Drinking Habits is high farce with secrets, lost loves, people pretending to be someone else, lightning costume changes, hiding places behind doors, under the table and in a trunk, all contributing to the mayhem. The setting in a very small convent during prohibition in America aids the necessary misunderstandings. The action opens with various crises since the Nuns have been producing alcohol to keep the Convent open and are terrified about being found out and Mother Superior has been lying to the Vatican about the number of Nuns and is equally worried and suspects there is a spy in their midst.

The eight cast members worked closely as an ensemble and tackled the physical requirements with energy and commitment. They were sure of lines and movement, and they whisked the audience along to the satisfying denouement.

The set design and realisation were particularly good and provided doors which could be slammed shut without affecting the rest of the set. The music very clearly evoked the time and lighting solidly contributed to the staging.

While the overall production was funny, pleasing, strong and sure, the decision to take on American and Irish accents created some difficulties for the actors and some farcical elements were close to overbalancing into being uncomfortably silly.

As the Director, Cody Riker noted, community theatre is about much more than just the performance and this company not only delivered a rip-roaring, funny show, it has also made a great contribution to the community by bringing this group together.

Ruth Richter