GASPING: is the title of Theatre AdHoc’s latest production, which was held at the Congress Theatre, Cwmbran, on the evening of Tuesday April 18 and at Trevethin and Penygarn Community Centre on the evening of Saturday April 22.

Gil and I joined the enthusiastic audience in the intimate surroundings of the hall at Trevethin and laughed uproariously.

This production of “Gasping “by Ben Elton was presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd and was produced and directed by the inspirational Andrew Pippen and featured the AdHoc team of local players which we, the amateur drama supporters in Torfaen, have grown to love and admire enormously.

This black comedy centred on the dodgy business plot to fleece the public of billions of pounds by convincing them they were being poisoned by impure air and with the invention of a “Suck and Blow” machine  created the demand for  “purified” air, sold then to the public at huge prices. On the orders of the money grubbing Business Magnate, suave Sir Chiefly Lockhart, (played by Lyndon House) - Phillip, his ambitious aide (Colin McCorkindale) assisted by Sandy (Nick Jones) and Kirsten (Heather Plow) develop and market the machine which makes and breaks millions!

I won’t give away the plot of this farcical romp, with overtones of Machiavellian Monetary schemes and lust among the office lockers, but suffice it to say that mother nature fights back with disastrous consequences for the protagonists and the people of their world.

As we have come to expect from AdHoc the performances were faultless and their use of very confined spaces in the Trevethin Hall was amazing. 
Theatre AdHoc wishes to thank St Cadoc’s Church Trevethin, The Trevethin and Penygarn Community Centre, The Congress Theatre, Trac2 and Croesyceiliog School Drama Department.

Theatre AdHoc’s next project will be A Charity Evening of Comedic Cabaret on Tuesday June 13 and Thursday June 15 at the Congress Theatre, Gwent Square, Cwmbran. Tickets are £7 each. Start time 7.30pm. Phone 01633 868239 or visit congresstheatrecwmbran.co.uk

Look for ‘Theatre AdHoc-News and Events’ page on Facebook to keep up to date with future projects or for  information on how to join this company of adults and young people, which is dedicated to delivering theatre productions in the local community.

Some of the charities supported in 2016-2017 are: End Polio Now; Know Your Blood Pressure, New Hope, The Rotary Foundation and St David’s Hospice Care.  

Mary Barnett