Film & Theatre, Reviews | Posted on February 26th, 2026 | return to news

REVIEW: Deckchairs

Broadstone Players Theatre Company, Broadstone War Memorial Hall

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

With the wet weather we’ve been having, who doesn’t yearn for a day at the seaside? Well, this company is providing exactly that until Saturday 28 February.

Set on a summer’s day, five one-act plays by Jean McConnell unfold from seats on the promenade.

Each of the plays features just two actors, although there is an ensemble of eight others enjoying the seaside between each of them.

First up are the retired ladies who love to shop, with Rosemary played with much exuberance by Sue Gibson, whilst Debbie Southern is the more restrained Angela.

A darker story is told in the second play, ‘Late Frost’, where widow Pamela (Beverley Whitehead) discovers that her lifelong friend Kate (Lucy Webster) hides a secret that will change their lives for ever.

On a lighter note, two single mature women, Betty (Lesley James) and Wynn (Veronica Ryder), have a lot of fun as dancers in search of new romantic partners.

Val Smith is a moaning, needy mother, Helen, who has deprived her daughter June (Emma Moy) of the life she should have had in ‘Early Blight’.

Deciding to have ‘Doggies’ as the final play was an inspirational choice by directors Mar Godfrey and Malcolm Miller. Sue Spencer is so amusing as the owner of Robbie – I expected her to go into a ventriloquist’s act at any moment – and she teams well with Verity Brayshaw as Angela, who has a pampered pooch called San San.

There were several line prompts on the first night, but hopefully they will have lessened as the week progresses.

It was an entertaining evening, and if you would like a little sunshine this week, you can get tickets from honesec@broadstoneplayers.co.uk, on 01202 678449 or from Broadstone News.