The Woolstore Theatre in Codford was proud to present, ‘Winner Takes All’, as the third production in its Centenary year.  The play was chosen by Will Johnson the Director, as it showcases a 2026 release with an intriguing and comedic plot.

I always experience a sense of anticipation and excitement as I settle in my seat, a prosecco in hand, the introductory music plays and the lights dim.  The curtains open to reveal a beautiful set; a drawing room with warmth and charm, plenty to pique interest before even a word is spoken.  The action takes place over a year and the picture window magically reveals the seasonal changes.

David Oxendale, (Robin Scard) a self-made multi-millionaire widower sits dozing in his favourite chair.  Whilst on his August vacation he met Lucy, (Gemma Rose) with whom he had a whirlwind romance culminating in their marriage.  Considerably younger, she has charmed his formidable but loyal cleaner Suzi, (Alison Rivers), but has yet to meet his three sisters.

Mary Oxendale, (Marilyn Latcham) his favourite, he thinks will prove amenable and kind;  alas the same cannot be said of the other two.  Judith Simmons, (Eve McBride) and Emily Blunt, (Julie Gardiner) behave as expected, purely concerned with how they will be affected when he dies.  As the action progresses we are introduced to Lee Jarvis, (Edward Rogers) artist, currently painting  a nude portrait of Lucy.  The final character in the ensemble is the solicitor, Mr Partridge (David North) who has the unenviable task of reading, explaining and overseeing the complexities of a challenging will.

The director has ensured that the characterisation portrayed by the actors is finely drawn.  Robin Scard ably convinced us of his increasing ill health and weakness, through movement, his breathing, the gradual fading of his voice until his onstage demise.  A greater pause at this point would have increased impact before delivery of the final lines of the first half.  Gemma trod a tightrope path, genuinely caring for her aged spouse whilst quietly developing a relationship with Edward.  Her delivery was gentle, ultimately revealing an inner harder core following the upset in her home after the revelation of the will’s contents. Edward at first seems slightly diffident, with a measured delivery, every bit the confidante that David Oxendale sought.  He gains confidence in the later stages of the play and proves that he too is a winner, gaining the love of Lucy.

Alison had the audience in stitches with her interventions and asides, great delivery and comedic timing.  In a sense, she holds the whole play together.  Marilyn had a light touch with her character, kind, caring and conciliatory, decrying her two sisters which cunningly served to disguise that she had secured her own slice of the inheritance and good fortune over a number of years by good behaviour.

The two remaining sisters, not quite the ugly ones of pantomime fame, were money obsessed, deliciously obnoxious, thoroughly unpleasant if very differently drawn.  The facial gymnastics exercised by Julie accurately portrayed what a nasty piece of work she was but this at times interfered with her diction to the detriment of my missing some of her lines.  Eve, elegant, beautifully attired, very conscious of her social standing – who wouldn’t be married to a man who made sewage his business –  displayed an amazing vocal range, coupled by great diction and easily repudiated any finer feelings the audience may have been inclined to feel.

David, besuited, slightly apprehensive, a typical solicitor, a trifle impatient at times, delivers the terms of the will to the horror of some of its listeners.  He delivers a firm, when necessary, and very convincing performance.

A play that kept me entertained and thinking, trying to work out where the key to solving the inheritance was hidden, and in this I wasn’t alone.  The auditorium was buzzing with intrigue.