PEPPER'Sghost
Theatre Company
Not a Game for Girls
Reviews/Audience Feedback
Debbie Hall - Olney Phonebox Magazine
www.phoneboxmagazine.com/editions/2024/06June2024/index.html (page 55)
Cara Lee - Cara in the Light
leeinthelights.wordpress.com/2024/05/17/not-a-game-for-girls-at-stantonbury-theatre-a-review
Karen Phillips - My Milton Keynes
visitmiltonkeynes.org/review-not-a-game-for-girls-at-stantonbury-theatre
Facebook comments
Benjamin Peel
I’m very grateful that you chose to produce my play and was thrilled by the result. More importantly though it has helped keep the story of accomplishments against the odds alive and given young students in Milton Keynes a wonderful opportunity to experience being part of a theatrical production.
Shirley Jones
Not A Game for Girls - Pepper's Ghost Theatre Company, Stantonbury Theatre until Sunday 19th May.
Very appropriate material for Milton Keynes - home to Gill Sayell of the 1971 England's Women's Team (the Lost Lionesses) and Leah Williamson who won the MK Community Foundation Sports Bursary and went on to captain the national side. This interesting play explores women's football in northern England during the first world war, the rise to prominence of the Dick, Kerr's Ladies and the decision by the FA to ban women's football from their grounds in 1921.
The major strength here is the ability of director Rosemary Hill to bring a game for 22 players to the stage and make matches believable with barely half a squad. The trick is assembling a very strong production team. The first thing that strikes is the wonderful set complete with smoke emanating from a chimney, a goal shaped central entrance and simple pitch markings. James Smith has delivered just what is needed and the lights (James Tearle) set this off very subtly.
The games and the crowd responses are choreographed by Carly Halse and I was not alone in my appreciation of a wonderful trio of Michael Hansell, Alexander J C Forni and Nathan Chinery strutting their stuff with a nod to Fred Astaire and the Keystone Cops!
There is many a quick change with four or five people playing more than one role and the hair team does particularly well adjusting styles.
Shahnaz Hussain delivered two self-penned songs, a joy to listen to, but not everyone was as clear with their diction and some aspects of story were lost as a couple of younger cast members were challenged with the northern accents.
Brava to Jasmine Bromme and Vie Graham (well togged out by costumes from Susan Lee Burton) as players from St Helens brought in to strengthen the squad.
Quite how people have had the brass-neck to treat women so badly, stifling their enthusiasm and abilities over the centuries really beggars belief and yet this play reminds us that in 2024 misogyny is still with us. Well done to the pioneers and their male allies whether in sport or other fields.
A clever production, good value and four stars from me.
Frank Scarito
Congratulations to all involved. Loved the show. Enjoyed being transported back in time through the writing, the setting and some wonderful performances. Loved the song 'On a cold December morning' which I assumed was a beautiful folk song of its time so surprised it was recently written for the show.
Laura Keen
Came on Sunday. Really enjoyed it!
Cecile Whidborne
Great show!! really enjoyed it. Well done everyone
Bart Gamber
Congrats to everyone involved for crafting such a terrific production. You should be very proud!
Shahnaz Hussain
Have I said how much I have loved working on this show? Rosemary is a truly great director and I love working with her. What a wonderful creative team she has put together and the cast have been wonderful too. I love working with young people so much, helping them to move out of their comfort zones and give them an experience beyond anything they could imagine. It is so rewarding.
Rosemary Hill
I needed to take a day to rest and reflect on "Not A Game for Girls" by Benjamin Peel. Thank you to everyone who came to see it. Thank you also for your comments. I am never afraid of constructive criticism as I see it as a gift for learning. For me this show was about telling an important story that had been erased from history. It was about people pursuing their passion and living their lives as their true selves. Our production was also about giving young people an opportunity to work in the arts alongside a professional team and more experienced actors. The MK College students started on a demanding journey and stuck with it. They have told us they learned a great deal and they enjoyed the learning process. Many of them have also said it helped boost their confidence. It also helped their mental health. They enjoyed working with the other actors and the creative team.
To me it is vital everyone has access to the arts. There are many theatre companies in MK who are all offering wonderful experiences and it is vital that they continue and that we all support one another in our endeavours. That is the most important thing. It is vital that the arts and theatre are accessible to all. We have seen numerous cuts in the school curriculum to the arts and in funding yet these subjects are so important. They are not an "add on". They are essential to our well-being as individuals and as a society. So, I thank everyone - Ben the playwright, the actors, the production and creative team and the last vital ingredient the audience. You the audience are keeping theatre alive. Let's all continue to support one another. Let's keep supporting local (and national) theatre and beat the tide at the moment which seems to be moving towards making the arts only for the rich and elite. We can make a difference by working together.
Responses to Rosemary’s FB post
Shahnaz Hussain
The Arts, theatre, music and dance are by far the greatest antidote to those who suffer from mental health issues, low self-esteem, asthma, etc etc (I could go on), than drugs.
Guy Jones
Congratulations Rosemary, I’m glad it was a success and a big yes to all the benefits of theatre and the arts in general you describe.
Frank Scarito
I could talk for hours about the benefits of music, drama, storytelling and collaboration. I know the impact it's had on my life and one of the greatest joys is seeing the impact it has on others’ lives.
"Not A Game for Girls" was another wonderful example of this. Experienced working with those just starting out. All different ages working together to create something beautiful as a collaborative achievement. Wonderful memories created together that will last a lifetime.
I enjoyed it as an audience member and found myself wishing I'd been part of it.
You should be rightfully proud.
Cora Anne Williams
Beautifully articulated, and learning curve for The Arts and Artists
Shelagh Scarborough
Absolutely Rosemary Hill- keep doing what you are doing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Beverley Webster
It most certainly was a collaborative piece; from an audience point of view it seemed that everyone worked together well and pulled it together as a whole.
Andrew Powell
Well done Rosemary, you and your team told that story well. MK College did so well. I wish the best on their own theatrical journeys.
Sharon Colpman
Couldn’t have put it better myself. Love seeing the confidence boost our shows are giving to people in Liverpool. And yet funding is getting harder to come by. We are creatives and the business side is hard for us, especially the demanding bids you now have to write whilst you are running on fresh air and three people working for nothing.
Lisa Stenhouse
Beautifully expressed. MK is blooming lucky to have you! X
Rosemary Wilkinson
This reminds me of my experience working on ‘Our Town’ with you Rosemary. A truly fulfilling and imperative experience that I see as vital to my early training. So glad to see you continue your relationship with MK college! Wish I could have seen the show, it looked fantastic. Long may this important and vital work continue ❤️
Holly Cameron-Clarke
Rosemary Wilkinson absolutely second this comment. I always look back to 'Our Town' and 'Austerity' and think back to how much I learned under your guidance. Both were incredible opportunities which I thoroughly enjoyed, and despite not being able to do performing arts anymore (never say never though!), I look back with very fond memories 🥰
Genki Jen Kenny
So true Rosemary Hill. Those young cast members will carry those memories forever.
John Pinkerton
Excellent play. The renditions of Abide With Me were particularly moving.
Richard Galloway
Boom ! Mic Drop......brilliant words. Congratulations on what I'm sure was a marvellous show. Keep fighting the good fight 💪 Rosemary Hill !!!
Carole Woddis
Congratulations, Rosemary. What a rallying cry. X