Reviews

OPUS Theatre Company

Reviews

“CONFESSIONS OF HONOUR”

by Gerry Hinks

MET Studio, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

What really happened? When fear, panic and emotion are at play – whose

account of the facts is factual? Can there be absolute truth when memories conflict over events half a century ago? Confessions of Honour – written and directed by Gerry Hinks and presented at the MET Studio, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre – takes us through an intricate progression of challenging dramatic confrontations and revelation.

The scenario is set up conventionally enough. An ex-soldier – Frederick Salisbury (played with great conviction and sensitivity by Keith Minshull) – has come to the home of the Staffordshire Regiment to donate to them his Victoria Cross, won 50 years before. He is easy with this and easy with himself. He is treated with respect by the Regimental Representatives – portrayed with suitable weight and efficiency by Mark Allen Jones and Michaela Warrillow – the play taking place in the Sergeant’s Mess at Whittington Barracks in 1994 as Frederick waits for the regiment to assemble for a march-past at which he will give the salute.

All is going to plan, until the arrival of a German journalist, Wolfgang Meissler, played by Gerry Hinks himself. It emerges that he has some link with Frederick’s heroic deed in 1944, but the narrative proceeds with the cleverness of a carefully considered game of chess. Hinks remains one move ahead of us as we try to work out the connection between these two men, and the real reason for Meissler to be here on Frederick’s great day. The dialogue amuses, then moves, then surprises us – as the first half skilfully ends with a key revelation.

The second half concentrates on the consequences of up-turning one man’s half-a-century of understanding of – for him – a historic moment. And what motives lie behind Meissler’s need to persuade Frederick that his account of the shooting of three Germans and rescue of an injured sergeant is the true one? It’s a tribute to Hinks’s skilful writing that at no time do the verbal twists and turns of dialogue become melodramatic. Both men are eager to do the right thing. Frederick’s new doubts are sensitively addressed in caring dialogue. Meissler is here to inform and help. He – for himself – needs Frederick to understand the truth, and Frederick needs to come to terms with the very concept of heroism and the real reason the medal was awarded.

Will the presentation ceremony go ahead? Would cancellation be justified or not? Confessions of Honour is not a play about revenge or recrimination. At the end of the play there is a sense of resolution, but with what outcome? The overwhelming sense here is one of compassion. The men part with new insight and understanding – both enriched by this meeting. And we are enriched by engaging with the sensitive issues pervading this well-scripted and compelling drama

RAY JOHNSON

‘Confessions of Honour’

Garrick Theatre Lichfield

Cast: Keith Minshull as Frederick Salisbury

Gerry Hinks as Wolfgang Meissler

Rugeley actor Gerry Hinks got the idea for his Victoria cross drama in a dream and the play has developed and been re-written since it was first performed as a pro-am production in 2004

The story is simple. Frederick Salisbury VC played by Keith Minshull is a guest of the Staffordshire Regiment where he is presenting his Victoria cross to the Regimental museum. He does not see himself as a hero, he just rescued an injured officer without even thinking. For him the medal represents all the comrades he lost. All nice and simple until Wolfgang Meissler a German news paper editor arrives on the scene as a special guest. Mark Allen Jones as the Regimental Sergeant Major and Michaela Warrilow as the Warrant Officer make up the rest of the cast in what is a good story well told.

Roger Clarke (Birmingham Post and Mail)

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…..’A well-scripted and compelling drama’…..

‘Confessions of Honour’ 2007

…’A good story, well told’...

RAGING AGAINST OLD AGE.

‘...First-rate entertainment..’

‘Growing Old disgracefully’ Arena Theatre Wolverhampton 29.2. 2008

According to recent statistics those of us who reach the age of 65 can look forward to at least another 20 years of retirement. So was the Staffordshire based Opus Theatre's production a blueprint for how senior citizens should behave? Well, the answer was no,as the first of the two plays turned out to be more of a rage against old age. Former film star Michael and comedian Tommy have a love-hate relationship on their actor's retirement home until the arrival of Alzeimer-stricken Yvette upsets their routine. Not so much disgraceful, more a touching drive down memory lane. In the second play Amber has always played second fiddle to her brother Gerald - until Bob arrives on the scene and then Amber finds herself. This was first-rate entertainment from Staffordshire's only professional theatre group.
Other dates are at Lichfield Garrick, and appearances in Abbots Bromely, Stafford, Newport and Rugeley.
By Jerald Smith (Express and Star 1.3.08)

Growing Old Disgracefully @ Garrick, Lichfield

PLAYS WERE A COUPLE OF LITTLE GEMS!

This bitter-sweet double bill was the latest in the Garrick Studio’s season of thought -provoking plays from Opus Theatre Company. First offering “What’s in a Name?” was a gem about age, friendship and memory (or the lack of it) set in a home for retired thesps. Gerry Hinks was Tommy the relentlessly cheerful ex-comic who unfailingly got on the nerves of ex-film actor Michael, played by Keith Minshull with waspish glee. But the comedy turned to pathos when they were joined by ageing star Yvette Dorland (Sandra Jones), as an Altzheimer’s victim who just happened to be the lost love of Michael’s life. The scene in which they played Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene proved Wilde’s dictum that youth is wasted on the young. Attention to detail here was staggering, just the right kind of carpets, furniture and knick-knacks a posh retirement home would have, right down to the (genuine) film star photos and classy art deco bits. Quite the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time was Paolo Allen’s nurse- his absent-minded ‘its show time’ dusting tour de force revealing a comic touch routed firmly in truth. He has the look of someone who could easily become a household name, given the right type of TV sitcom exposure. The second play, “Amber” featured Paolo and sister Della as two getting-on-a-bit siblings trapped together by time. Delightfully their annual seaside holiday in staid Southwold turned into a timely adventure for Amber with common pensioner Bob (Keith Minshull again) who proved to her in a surprisingly practical way, you’re only as old as you feel.. Pure pleasure.

Phil Preece, Lichfield Post.