A little help from my friends

By Johnny Grim

ISBN: 978-1-921918-07-0 

Genre: Comedy

Cast: 3m, 3f

Settings: Unit set, representing a kitchen and a living room

Approximate Length: full length

Synopsis: Nigel Wren is a budding playwright. A rather pathetic one so the critics say. Our story begins with Nigel receiving yet another rejection. Somewhat dejected, poor Nigel is unsure as to what he must do to have his work staged. His friend and flatmate Warren, suggests he ‘go radical’ and invite a bunch of non-theatre types over for a few drinks, and a reading of his latest work, this on the remote chance that the guests may offer some useful and constructive feedback. Nigel, being at all times sensitive and arty, is less than enthused about this most ludicrous of ideas. Even less so after hearing the names on Warrens invite list, but, as Warren so rightly points out, what has he got to lose? And so, reluctantly, Nigel agrees to give the idea a try.

 

History: A little help from my friends … was first produced by A Lad In Sane Productions at the Nexus Theatre, Murdoch University, Western Australia from May 1st to 5th 2007. It was directed by the author and produced with the assistance of the in-house theatre crew.

 

Review:

Theatre Australia website

Submitted by Gordon The Optom, May 2007

 

‘A little help from my friends’ is Johnny Grim’s latest play. It is showing at the modern and comfortable, 180-seat Nexus Theatre at Murdoch Uni. Free parking and just off the freeway! It is showing each evening at 8PM until 5th May.

 

Johnny’s company is ‘A lad in sane productions.’ After the joy of watching ‘The Karaoke Twist’ and this latest show, perhaps it should be called the ‘Zany Lad’s’ company. Following the success of any play, whether drama or comedy, the audience always asks, ‘will the next be as good as the last?’ In this case it was.

 

Nigel (Daniel Kershaw) has just received yet another rejection of his latest play. In an attempt to find out why these dismissals keep coming, on the suggestion of his best friend Warren (Josh Crane, last seen in Matt Penny’s very funny ‘Discharge) he gets a few friends around for a drink to discuss changes that will turn his writings into a world famous epic.

 

Unfortunately the friends are Reece (Will Gawned), an avid Tarantino fan, and his blonde bimbo girlfriend, Alison (Natalie Rees who was magnificent in ‘Karaoke Twist’) along with her stunning sister Beck (Samantha Rich). The two girls don’t have two brain cells to rub together. Warren’s girlfriend Tania (Tara Khin) is not impressed with the discussion on the play. Will Nigel’s play become a masterpiece? Will he be seduced by the gorgeous Beck? Good punch line to the tale.

 

Johnny Grim’s scripts are wonderful. They have plenty of double-entendre lines, along the style of Luke Milton, so will appeal especially to the 20 – 60 age groups. His dialogue is precisely as one would expect to hear from a young group. The lighting design was good. The actors were all magnificent and their very different characters added sparkle and variety to the play. Natalie and Samantha were particularly convincing as the scatty pair, with very accurate comic timing. Very funny script, well worth the short trip out of town.