03 Dec 2024
Listeners of the St Albans and District Talking Newspaper are in for a treat when their Christmas edition arrives next week, thanks to members of a local theatre group.
The Feelgood Factor, the adult branch of Best Theatre Arts, have written and recorded ‘Festive Spirits’, a half hour radio comedy set in St Albans.
Co-writer Deborah Heath tells us more: “I am partially-sighted myself and have received the talking newspaper over the years, so it is a cause close to my heart. When I was recently recording one of my regular book reviews with producer Marley Bryan, I mentioned the wonderful adult drama group I belong to. We have had success at the Welwyn Drama Festival with a cast-devised play earlier this year and I had an idea that we might write something for the listeners of the talking newspaper; a play about St Albans, bursting with local references. Marley loved the idea, so we met with director Catherine Lomax earlier this autumn to make plans.”
Catherine explains: “Originally, we had ideas of making a festive ghost story, given St Albans’ rich collection of supernatural tales. However, we didn’t want anything too frightening so what we have come up with is a story about a local paranormal society. We knew it needed to have a festive element, so the action takes place over their Christmas party in a local ‘haunted’ pub. The result is festive, heart-warming, funny and not too naughty. It’s a classic British character driven-comedy and as for whether there is a ghost, you will just have to wait and see!”
The cast were eager to get their teeth into this new project. They quickly created their own characters, and each week would improvise new scenes. Catherine and Deborah took notes which they eventually turned into a script.
Cast member James Hember, who plays ghost hunter Jason said: “I hadn’t heard of the talking newspaper before; it’s a cool thing to know about. It was really interesting focussing almost entirely on voice – I’m used to spending much more time on physicality, so this was a new experience as a performer.”
Producer Marley Bryan, who has worked extensively producing news and documentaries had a new challenge too: “It’s been an amazing experience – very ambitious. Usually the Christmas edition is news-based and light-hearted but we’ve never had drama before. I’m really, really excited to be involved in it and I think it’s turned out brilliantly. It’s funny, it’s dynamic, lots of voices – everything I think a radio play should have… I’d like to do some more”
We asked the cast what they think listeners will enjoy about Festive Spirits.
“I like all the local references, the little in-jokes that St Albans residents will understand,” says Becky Alexander who plays new member Briony, “It’s a very bespoke play.”
Kate Mackay, whose character Penelope is a medium with kleptomaniac tendencies says: “I think it’s a very funny play and I’m trying so hard not to laugh during the recoding!”
Having been visually impaired for nearly 20 years, Deborah loves radio drama and has had two radio plays produced before.
“I think that in a way this is a more powerful medium for an audience than a play you can actually see, because your own imagination is the final part of the puzzle. Each listener will have a unique interpretation which will make the action feel all the more real.
“In this particular play for instance, your imagination can run riot in deciding what Jason’s ghost tracking equipment looks like!”
Encouraged by the positive experience, The Feelgood Factor plan to spend the next term writing three new dramas for SADTN to record over the summer. However, although the play was written for SADTN, the company are keen to point out that it will be available for everyone to listen to from December 6 at 10am by clicking the link below and selecting the blue “Saturn” link for 6th December.
The Feelgood Factor are always looking for new members to join their acting workshops and projects. https://www.besttheatrearts.com/the-feelgood-factor-adultactingclass
