British Players Present 'Round and Round the Garden'

In 1973 Alan Ayckbourn wrote a trilogy of comedic plays called "The Norman Conquests"...in a single week. One can only imagine his state of mind, pounding away at the typewriter creating complex, humorous, and ultimately human characters—who storm the stage with a zeal for life but quite comically, succumb to the human need for love.

and running through , the British Players will be performing the third part of the trilogy, every weekend at the .

"Round and Round The Garden"—directed by Pauline Griller-Mitchell and produced by Sigrid Blobel—is about a dysfunctional group of characters who seem just as happy tearing down relationships as re-building them. Annie, who is the caretaker of her invalid mother, is caught between the tender loves of Tom, (a somewhat odd yet likable fellow who has trouble expressing his feelings) and Norman, the conquistador of hearts who is already unhappily married—to Annie's sister, Ruth. Ruth has a certain nobility to her and yet seems to want to distance herself from others. The brother of Annie and Ruth, Reg, seems very content living in his own mind—oblivious to the feelings of those around him, except to his wife, Sarah, who between the two, seems the most stable.

Early on, a planned liaison goes awry leaving a certain person considerably drunk—and moves are made that change the situation within the group. The play revolves around the intricate relationships between the characters. "Round And Round The Garden" promises humor and a liveliness which is worth far more than seeing the same rehashed plots and remakes at the movie theater.

The author of the play, Ayckbourn, shared his opinion of the characters. Annie is “her own worst enemy” that would rather live quietly than argue, leading her to take up too much responsibility especially in regards to her mother. Sarah is “shrouded in guilt, sexually repressed,” and all her tea-parties as a little girl must have “ended in tears of frustration,” he said. Ruth is very passionate and very intelligent, yet she views the world coldly to keep it at bay, while Reg is a little boy who never grew up, but is happy living in his own quiet world. Tom has an “inability to tune in or focus properly on others,” which leaves his understanding of people utterly mysterious, but he is also self-centered and full of self-interest. And finally, there is Norman, the “wild card” who is “totally transparent” leaving his needs and secret desires open for anyone to view them, according to Ayckbourn.

Many of the actors and actresses are veterans of the craft, some having even produced and directed plays themselves, but all expressed enjoyment in rehearsing for the show. Chrish Kresge (Ruth), has performed in plays around the world. Peter Harrold (Tom) has been acting on and off for twenty-six years and said that this particular play has been a lot of fun. John Allnutt (Norman) has directed a play by George Bernard Shaw and says he enjoyed the great amount of movement and sometimes even improvisation within this play. Eileen Kent (Sarah) said she has “acted from the womb” and has even produced for the director, Pauline. Paul Noga (Reg) has acted since the late 70s, and shared a deep respect for community theater. Sonia Motlagh (Annie) is the youngest of the group. She has been acting since High School and said it was wonderful working with Pauline.

There is a sense of camaraderie among the cast. The general atmosphere of playfulness, and the vigor that they bring to their characters shows they have put their collective heart and souls into bringing this play to life.

Recently, the director of the show, Griller-Mitchell, received a 2010 Washington Area Theatre Community Honors nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Play for "Pygmalion" for the Silver Spring Theater. In 2007 she received the Outstanding Production award for a production of "Never the Sinner," and in 2004, she received the award for Outstanding Director for a production of "Bedroom Farce," which was also written by Ayckbourn.

The British Players began forty years ago and originally performed at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. Each year, the group produces about three to four shows and sponsors the Ruby Griffith awards, named after one of the players.

Seats are available for $18 dollars per adult and $14 dollars for students 12 and younger.