Sordid Lives
by Del Shores
Where and When
O2 Theatre, Fringe Club
10-14 May 2005
Blurb
Hong Kong Premiere of this over-the-top comedy by Del Shores.
Family, fidelity, feuds, food, fashion and a funeral. Fantastically funny.
Writer’s Note
It thrills me that my crazy story about the denizens of Winters, Texas continues to be told in theatres everywhere. I remember when I wrote this play, I decided to abandon all conventions, all self-imposed censors, all structure and just let the characters simply take me for a ride, with hope that I could make the audience laugh and perhaps think a little bit, to. I hope my goals are accomplished tonight. Enjoy.
Cast
| Bitsy Mae Harling | Bethan Greaves |
| Ty Williamson | Lucas Rockwood |
| Sissy Hickey | Amica Sanday |
| Noleta Nethercroft | Jewel Turner |
| Latrelle Williamsoon | Cindy Bayne |
| LaVonda Dupree | Amanda Chapman |
| G.W. Nethercroft | Rob Archibald |
| Wardell ‘Bubba’ Owens | Marc Trimbee |
| Odell Owens | Gary Hill |
| Dr. Eve Bolinger | Anne-Louise McWilliam |
| Earl ‘Brother Boy’ Ingram | Stephen Bolton |
| Rev. Barnes | Gary Hill |
| Peggy Sue Ingram | Priscilla Jones |
Production Team
| Director | Lucas Cox |
| Producer | Sean Piggot |
| Stage Manager | Adrian Davis |
| Deputy Stage Manager | Andy Burt |
| Set Designer | Ernie Corpus |
| Costume Designer | Claire Saeki |
| Lighting Designer | Iris Eu |
| Make-Up | Aurora Corpus |
| Programme Designer | Andreas Schallenberger |
| Print Production Manager | Neerja Sujanani |
| Publicity Photos | Sean Piggott |
| Front of House | Brian Schwarze |
Reviews
South China Morning Post
Tuesday May 17 2005
This dark comedy by Del Shores isn’t quite as over the top as as it’s billed by the Hong Kong Players, who picked the fun, yet thoughtful production to launch the 2005 season.
There are many moments of hilarity, but Sordid Lives also takes a sober look at deep-rooted family values, social belief’s (especially in America’s Deep South) and discrimination. Set in Texas, the play (directed by Lucas Cox) centres on the dysfunctional Ingram family. Matriarch Grandma Peggy (Priscilla Jones) has just died, after tripping over a pair of wooden legs left on the floor by her young lover G.W. Nethercroft (Rob Archibald).
The news is badly received by the family. Her valium pill-popping sister Sissy Hickey (Amica Sanday), who has just given up smoking, is soon reaching for her cigarettes when the cheated wife, Noleta (Jewel Turner), comes running to her for help and advice.
Her righteous daughter Latrelle (Cindy Bayne) chooses to live in denial and fails to come to terms with the affair – or that both her son Ty (Lucas Rockwood) and brother Earl “Brother Boy” (Stephen Bolton) are gay.
The play reaches its climax at Grandma Peggy’s funeral.
Sordid Lives is a refreshing choice for the Hong Kong Players, whose past works include such classics as […] Noel Coward’s Private Lives, as well as various pantos, including Alice! and Cinderella. This group delivers every time.
There were solid performances from Sanday, Bayne and Amanda Chapman (as daughter LaVonda). Marc Trimbee and Anne-Louise McWilliam were both hilarious in their support roles, as the repenting Wardell “Bubba” Owen (Earl’s childhood crush) and the lusty Dr Eve Bolinger. Rockwood and Bolton steered clear of over-the-top stereotypes and handled their characters with sensitivity.
Kevin Kwong
Acknowledgements
David Benzie
South China Morning Post
Sandra Siggins
The Standard
Ieva Slokenbergs
HK Magazine
Stewie Griffin
G Magazine
BC Magazine
RTHK Radio 3
The American Chamber of Commerce
