I have described the book signing aspect of this event in excruciating detail in a separate piece – click here or below.
I have also set out the programme notes I wrote for The Elland Affair – click here.
But what of the show itself?
Well, it seems I gave it a rave review at the time and also assembled some other reviews electronically. I have no idea how or why this information ended up in a “miscellaneous” file on my computer – it looks like a scrape from an on-line something-or-other from back in the mists of time. Anyway, I have just (11 Match 2023) discovered/recovered it, dated 19 July 2000, so here is the contemporaneous reviews of many:
Nicola Sedgefield
Play: The Elland AffairThe Actor’s Workshop Youth Theatre’s latest production, Mike Ward’s ‘The Elland Affair’ is not for the squeamish or sexually repressed.
This orgy of rampant testosterone exposes the physical abilities, acting skills as well as most of the flesh of a group of Yorkshire lads (I presume) who would win hands down in any contest of entertainment against ‘The Chippendales’. With the Workshop lads, what you see is clearly what you get.
Gore as well as sex is plentiful as our fearless heroes plot and ultimately exact revenge on the dastardly Sir John Eland and his thugs. If these lads had been on hand to fight the later Wars of the Roses, Henry VII and all those Tudors would never have made it.
It was a long show, but I wouldn’t have missed it.
Review by: Ian Harris
Play: The Elland AffairI enjoyed the play immensely. Before taking the world by storm with it, I think Mike Ward would do well to reduce the length by some 30 to 45 minutes. But even in its full length form, there’s enough really good stuff to maintain one’s attention throughout.
The Elland Affair is not for the squeamish or prudish, as other reviewers have no doubt pointed out. But then 1327 probably wasn’t a good time for squeams and prudes to be alive.
A tough but worthwhile assignment this, for a small youth theatre. The broad sword fighting scenes alone must have needed an enormous amount of rehearsal (and muscle building) but were pulled off with great aplomb.
Other youth theatres should take a look at this play and, if suitably ambitious, should do well with it.
Superb programme notes, I thought. (He would say that, wouldn’t he?)
Seriously, well done to author, director, cast and crew.
Review by: Mr G Phillips
Play: The Elland AffairYet again the actors workshop has pulled off another excellent performance – ‘The Elland Affair’, superbly written and superbly performed, and it does not cease to amaze me.
Although one or two mistakes were made, and it showed to a certain extent, it was understandable because of all the lines that needed to be learnt.
Kristian Wilkinson played an excellent part as Adam, also Thomas Vickery as Hugh, and they both worked well together showing that they had put a lot of time and effort into the production.
The one character that didn’t really stand out was Harry he could have been played a lot better, Christopher Cockroft did not prove to be much as there was no ‘umph’ behind his lines.
My wife thinks that the the one person that did stand out, even though he did not have a big part, was Aaron. He stood out with his witty humour on how he thought that he was a ‘sex god’ – very well played by Shane Gough. The thing that made him stand out is that he would always turn up at the right moment.’Hope to see him again’ she says.
Which also shows how well the play was written. Even though it was a bit long, there is not a single scene which I can think to leave out, one or two lines maybe, but none of the scenes.
Well done to Mr Ward and I can’t wait for your next one – I assume you are going to write one.
P.S don’t listen to Margaret Woods, you guys are doing a fantastic job and some of you could be the future of television.
Review by: Steve Cattell
Play: The Elland AffairThis was about my fourth outing to an Actor’s Workshop production, and by far the most enjoyable yet.
I had been fore-warned about the length of the play, but felt that the length was justified to contain the full story – a story which has been excellently written by Mike Ward.
Full marks to Kristian for learning so many lines !! What this must have done to his social life over the past two months is anyones guess !! and also a great performance by his right hand man who put in a blinding performance – a natural on the stage.
And of course, I have to mention the star of the show (although I am slightly biased !!!), Grace Siddall – who proved once more that a career in acting is definately looking promising…..
Keep writing Mike, it keeps us entertained…..
Review by: Mr F Smith
Play: The Elland AffairI must say that my evening at the Actors Workshop was superb whilst seeing the ‘Elland affair’.
I thought that everyone took on the challenge of being 13th century teenagers very well and it was obvious that they had all completly focused on the task.
My only fault was that occasionally the play was disrupted by loud backstage noise.
I also thought that the role of Harry De’lacey slightly lacked confidence.
Review by: A. Ward
Play: The Elland AffairA great world premiere.
A highly enjoyable swashbuckling tale of revenge, treachery, and humanity – one that will surely see future stagings throughout the country.
A trifle long – particularly the second Act – but this was a mere flesh wound to the body of work as a whole.
Some fine performances and some intriguingly insightful writing touches.
I suggest a sequel – ‘Confessions of a Miller’s Wife’…….
Review by: J.B.W.Summerskill
Play: The Elland AffairI sat in awe last week as I watched the Mike Ward work ‘The Elland Affair’. I thought it was the best show the company performed that I have seen.
With its carefully woven themes of loyalty, love, friendship and hatred thumping into the audience with welcome regularity, I was kept on my toes laughing and gasping throughout. Many congratulations to all on an exciting and provocative story which could be adapted into a blockbusting production on stage or screen were it to fall into the “wrong” hands.
No doubt Janie and I also enjoyed lavish hospitality at the hands of Mike and Lottie Ward after the show that night…
…after I had returned the pen(s) to their rightful owner(s).