Amazing evening Tim. Poignant in places and overall hilarious. Loved the way you moved from one character into the next. I laughed so much my face hurt!

You have a truly incredible talent Tim. I was moved to tears in places but laughed and laughed at the way you captured your ten friends. You should be in The West End never mind the Edinburgh Fringe. I suspect you are going to go from strength to strength so I wish you every success. You were born to be on the stage Tim so I will watch your progression to stardom I feel certain.

You have a truly incredible talent Tim. I was moved to tears in places but laughed and laughed at the way you captured your ten friends. You should be in The West End never mind the Edinburgh Fringe. I suspect you are going to go from strength to strength so I wish you every success. You were born to be on the stage Tim so I will watch your progression to stardom I feel certain.

I wanted to congratulate you on a stupendous evening on Saturday! Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are quite in awe of your talent and ability to change character so frequently and to keep the audience captivated all by yourself!!!!! Wow!!! It really was a great performance and absolutely not what we were expecting!

NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED
The show was terrific we thoroughly enjoyed our night out at the Capitol, and have not laughed so much for ages.
Tim looked as though he was born to perform he was so in assured and looked as though he was enjoying every minute I can’t wait to see his next show.
Bring it on Tim!!

NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED
The show was terrific we thoroughly enjoyed our night out at the Capitol, and have not laughed so much for ages.
Tim looked as though he was born to perform he was so in assured and looked as though he was enjoying every minute I can’t wait to see his next show.
Bring it on Tim!!

Fantastic night well done Tim. For those who did not come and watch 'Not what we expected' you missed a great evening with the entire audience laughing to the ten characters . Many of whom we see in every day life . Tim excellent show bring on number 3.
My entire family both old and yound enjoyed your show. Everybody, if you want to ensure you leave laughing, you need to attend.

Regards

Geoff

Reviewed on Wednesday 4th May 2011
NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED
Tim Fifield
The Archway Theatre, Horley
Reviewed by Tony Flook
When the Archway Theatre Company had to withdraw its latest planned production, due to cast illness, someone suggested asking Tim Fifield to perform his one man show to fill what might, otherwise, have been a dark theatre.
It was an inspired idea. ‘Not What We Expected’ proved to be not a rushed replacement but a polished production that would be worth booking to see in any circumstances.

Fifield held his audience so tightly for more than two hours that what could have been a long evening seemed to fly by.
Written by the actor himself, his series of monologues explored facets of the lives of a number of vastly different people, male and female. He successfully managed to pick up the traits, stances and accents of the bluff northern butcher, the camp actor, the pious virgin seeking love, the wheelchair-bound MS sufferer and others, not forgetting the puppy who was unceremoniously taken from its home kennels. The performer slipped seamlessly from one acutely observed persona to another; only one or two were just a shade overdrawn. The show was a near-perfect mix of straight-forward narrative and humour, together with subtly-drawn pathos.

However, most of the anecdotes were left open-ended and, at the interval, the audience was left wondering what happened to the characters. The second act answered most of these questions – not only carrying their stories on but, in some cases, cleverly interweaving them.

With no costume changes or props and aided only by Louise Adams’s lighting, the focus was entirely on Fifield’s undoubted stagecraft.

It is hoped to take ‘Not What We Expected’ to Horsham’s Capitol Theatre before too long and discussions are underway to perform it at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre. It will be worth checking with these venues or with Tim Fifield’s own website,for an innovative evening of theatre.

Well done Tim, the show was absolutely fantastic, clever, mesmorising, endearing, witty, and hugely entertaining! The characters were all so different and perfectly represented and the transitions between them were so clever. It is a show not to be missed and I feel very pleased and privileged to have shared in such brilliance. Can't wait to see more.....!

It's funny but even having known Tim for many years and having seen these characters form it still went beyond what I expected. The characters were well-rounded and their stories touching. It was like channel-hopping into these normally hidden worlds but getting an immediate sense of who they were and what their situation was. Well done, Tim.

Congratulations must go to Tim for this wonderful show...I look forward to more offerings from this multi talented performer.

Read the full review here

Fantastic stuff Tim. Really enjoyed it. "The whoreson must be acknowledged"!

What an undertaking achieved to the highest standard. Attention was held from beginning to end.

Physical transitions were superb and the writing was thoughtful and intelligent. All combined into stroytelling that conveyed the truth, tragedy and humour of real life.

Really touching, thank you.

Fantastic play. I really enjoyed it.

Utterly adorable.

I don't think there was one character I didn't want to run up and cuddle. Hilarious.

Be very proud. Captivating, inviting, moving and above all, entertaining. This is a quality piece that you should take further. Very talented and brave. Congratulations.

Timothy Robert, what a wonderful trip through the sometimes murky corridors of your mind, excellently crafted, with the second half answering all those questions you left hanging in the first.
Clever, witty, amusing, funny and at times tear jerking.
A great nights entertainment and a wonderful vehicle for your sustantial talent to be shown.
Well done we enjoyed it immensely.
Donald Ian & Carol Ann

Tim, that was a real treat - the best thing I've seen in ages! and you can tell by the number of comments that the general opinion is that you are really good!!! I particularly liked Vernon but then I'm a sucker for an eager pup. I am going to carry the programme round with me and show it to everyone. Are you doing this in London - can help you out with some good, almost free venues. Time to give up the day job.

Anna x

Hello Tim
I wonder if you read these ravings from your audience?
Well, what can I say, Maggi and I thoroughly enjoyed the show, the costumes! the dancing! the Cheeky Girls, the costumes! the dog bowl, the half time beer but especially the costumes....
You must be a nightmare to live with, I feel sorry for Mandy, she must never know who you are from minute to minute.
Congrats on a great performance, you must let me have the name of your hairdresser.
Cheers
Tom Singfield

I must say, I was bowled over - absolutely superb!

Fantastic night - I'll never look at another dog again without wondering what it's thinking!

Hi Tim ,excellent performance. Nice to see how your characters have expanded. Lots of laughs! I must admit I had a tear in my eye when vernon was at the vets. (Year and two days since I lost my Girl dog.) I think Reg was my favourite but all were brilliant WELL DONE YOU.
all the best Andy.

Your show was sublime. We absolutely loved it! My friend Maria from Hull hasn‘t stopped laughing since.

You took us through a roller coaster of emotions but all I can tell you is my sides ached the next day.

It was superb.

You are a consummate charactersmith, Tims. What a great show, we all loved it!! So good to see you doin' it.

Rock and roll,
Sims x

What a fabbo show last night, Voni and I particularly enjoyed Reg, Bertram and Grace! You are a real star Timbo, keep working on all of your cast, but most of all, keep being you! Brucie

Wow, Tim! I didn't know quite what to expect, but you are so clever, to write the script in the first place, to create all the characters and to act it word perfect, well we all loved it! Funny, sad, poignant, emotional and thought provoking, all at the same time. I nearly cried at the end! ......So glad you put the postscripts up:)

Hey Tim, just wanted to say congrats for the show- me and my mum really enjoyed it!

Wonderful! You were magnificent!

You were possessed by those characters and blew that full house away.

My ribs are still aching, but in a nice way. It was marvellous entertainment - the way you morphed into each character was a sight to behold. 10 of my friends came on Tuesday eve, not knowing you or anything about you, and were suitably entertained and impressed. Thankyou Tim and try to take the Show on tour xxx from Our Lord"

Hugely enjoyable show - bitter sweet comedy - Tim really brought his characters to life moving the audience through a roller coaster of emotions with his hilarious and poignant script. What an amazingly talented actor and writer Tim is. Please some-one take this show on tour - or even to TV - the next "Talking Heads?!" Alan Bennett eat your heart out!

" Excuse me but Gonad is dissing my carer " one of the many lines that had me in stitches and yet moments of arresting sadness as well, brilliant stuff Tim how do you do it? see you soon

Well Tim, I am not sure that I can be as succinct as your other reviewers, but I'll try!
I thought it was wonderful and gave me a much bigger window into you, than our brief exchanges in Studio 2. The emotional range was breath-taking. I found myself grinning silently when everyone else was laughing aloud, but then laughing aloud when everyone else was silent!! I'll never feel the same again about Coriolanus ...........
I thought the structure was masterly - the revisiting of the Act 1 characters in Act 2. The thing that has occupied my mind most, however, was the ending. I did not expect you to finish your performance as the dog. [The hip twitching of his neighbour at the sight of the moving polythene bag was priceless.] I can see that you wanted to end with a renewed kind of tension, leaving the audience thinking that he had been "put to sleep". That indeed would have been a dark ending and not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the drama. The release of the tension comes, of course, onscreen when we read that a poor hamster bought it. I think I understand what you tried to do but I thought the hamster resolution a bit contrived and, given the roller-coaster of emotions that you had taken us through, I was sorry that the resolution was not in something that you had played out.
I hope that the amount of words here and my thinking time are further evidence of my admiration for your work. My intention is to offer you a tribute. Eccentric Joan xx

saw you at the archway and couldnt wait to see the whole thing - wonderful - reg is still the one that i love the best - but grace was a great addition too. long may you continue to perform this top quality play which has more laughs than a stand up comedy night !

Amazing show Timmy! Had to have some of my inhaler half way through, I laughed so hard! Brilliant characters, I especially loved Vernon, Grace and Chevron!! You should be very proud and as my sister said, go on tour!! Lots of love xxx

"lemony lemony lemony Jif ". ..... My cheeks are still hurting... And my new favourite is " Bloody hell Lawrence"...or maybe Reg? You were amazing.....x

I had some idea wht to expect but I was still staggered with the creativeness and the bravery.

Great work Mr Fifield.

Surely a tour beckons!

The word is Transmogrification, Sir Timothy of Fife Field.
And you are a Master of it.
Give up the Day Job, you are a Star.
XXX

Not what we expected? Exactly what we expected!
Tim, as always, was brilliantly funny, thought provoking and creative. It was great to see old characters again and get to know new ones. The skill with which Tim moved from one character and scenario to another was perfect and set off well with a great selection of music. The writing and performance took us on a journey through a cleverly woven mixture of laughter and pathos. Thank you Tim for a great evening.

Wow, what a treat. Had a last minute invitation and was so glad I took it up. Had absolutely no idea what to expect so was ready for anything. Your play was totally captivating and enthralling. The characters all so individual. Quite amazing that you remembered all those lines. Vernon was brought to the stage beautifully. As an owner of a bag chasing pooch it really made me laugh. Thank you for sharing your gift.

I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed it! right up my street – loved it all .

– your characters by the second half I felt I were meeting ‘friends’ again – you ‘pulled it off’ so beautifully.

The touch of humility in many of the characters was quite poignant and the fun and humour of some of the others ‘belly laughing’

Wonderful Tim! Congratulations!!

We had the pleasure of seeing your play tonight – what a fantastic performance!

Well done Tim. Fantastic show last night. Maisonette!!!

Excellent show!!! Although Marisa did have to explain 'hench' to me and I nearly wet myself when Chevron said 'blud'!

I cannot stop thinking about Vernon....or Elvis for that matter. Wonderful-you should tour!!

...SUBLIME. There were times that I thought I'd have to leave as I could hardly breathe. My favourite line was "... we said an inpromptu prayer to the two Keiths ...". Genius

Complete genius genius genius genius

Tim, what can I say - Fantastic show. I was not sure what to expect, but then I guess that's what the title is all aout! From start to finish I was gripped with each character being drawn in by their life story. I could not wait for the second half to hear the continuation and outcome of each situation. Brilliant - lovely, funny, touching, moving - real! Well done Tim, you truly are a talented man.

Not quite knowing what to expect I invited two friends along and so we travelled up from the South coast. >Not what we expected< happened to us last night. What a gift, a very rounded, entertaining performance. Food for thought and time for laughter, what more can one ask for. It was brilliant, we can highly recommend it.

Not having seen Tim perform before we really didn't know what to expect but we left the theatre having had a very enjoyable evening. Tim thoroughly impressed us with his writing - both funny and touching and his marathon 2 hour performance of all the wonderful characters he has created. This show should definitely go to the Edinburgh Fringe - it would be a hit there!!!!

Tim you incredible man! I can't fault your spectacular performance in NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED! Your characterisation is second to none and the writing was not just hilarious but at times poetic and profound - I was moved (not just literally as we were ushered out at the end)! The greatest thing about the play for me was that your rendering of the characters was innately compassionate, and the overall piece positive and sensitive. In creating a set of such likeable characters you allow your audience to contemplate a range of subjects, relationships, love, birth, death, fear, and of course humour within the intimate setting you create. I take my hat off to you Sir, and was great to see you!

If you don't leave this show with a laugh in your heart, a thought in your head and a tear in your eye, well, you ain't got no soul brother!

Outstanding!!

What a talent!

So enjoyed...

This play included everything I love about theatre, incredibly even well-paced dialogue.
I feel very lucky to be friends with somebody so talented. x

Wow what can I say , articulately funny all the way through , loved all the characters but my favorites where the butcher from "ULL" and the lovely Vernon the dog who lived happily ever after . Thought the ending was absolutley so clever well done , great talent

Tim, you where awesome. Carol & I didn't know what to expect, however knowing youTim I knew we would not be disapointed and we weren't. I wait in anticipation for your next production.

I thought the whole show was just great. As I was walking out at the end ,all I could hear were words like, 'talented', 'excellent' and 'brilliant' coming from other members of the audience. I can't imagine that the evening could have gone any better.

I found myself waking up this morning believing that some of those characters were real people (not the dog of course!), and would quite happily go out for a pint with Grandad and Lawrence's dad.

You were brilliant. I loved the writing and the continuation of the stories between the halves. The music and transitions worked so well too. I thought Chris was going to break the chair from laughing so hard with your Lady and the Tramp pasta eating line –

We both had such a laugh and there was such a buzz as everyone came out.

Congratulations and thanks for an absolutely brilliant show last night; I haven’t laughed so much in ages!

What a performance my husband and i are very different people and both enjoyed it. Tim is a true talent and we will definately go and see him again. Well done you were amazing

Not What We Expected.. A one man play that literally blew my mind! Tim Fifield is an acting genius... Best thing I've seen in yrs!

Beg, borrow or steal a ticket to see Tim Fifield @ The Hawth until wednesday night. You will laugh til you cry, a brilliant performance!

Last night, I attended the performance of 'Not What We Expected' which was just that.

I know Tim, but from business meetings, so had never had the honour of watching Tim's past performances (although I had been aware of his theatrical talents). I went to watch with a curious and open mind as I really did not know what to expect. I am very pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed the performance which was nothing far from genius. The roller coaster of emotions was brilliantly executed by Tim. The performance was funny, enlightening, educational and great viewing. I particularly enjoyed Reg and his antics......

Could easily watch it again!

Shelley :-) xx

Brilliant evening, so glad to be there. I couldn't breathe for laughing when Grace was introducing herself! Tim is a star! X

Tim's portrayal of 10 entirely different characters in Not What We Expected, was inspired, hilarious and at times poignant.
His transitions from each character was a joy to witness and you could almost see the genetics actually changing in front of your eyes!
Having met the charactor of Reg in a previous play, I was delighted to hear that he is still alive and kicking ASS! Reg was joined on stage by a host of other lovely, funny and realistic people...oh and a dog by the name of Vernon!
Loved every minute, and highly recommend you go see it!

I went to see Not What We Expected last night and it was brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

If you get the chance to see it, go, you won't regret it.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! We had a really fantastic evening Tim....you are a very clever and talented man. Congratulations and thank you.

I just wanted to congratulate you on a magnificent performance last night. I was absolutely captivated by the characters and greatly enjoyed their stories – ever so funny, clever and emotional. I left feeling uplifted and proud.

One word...BRILLIANT! Thank you for such a great show.

Congratulations! Outstanding show, enjoyed every single word...truly one of the best performances I have ever seen.

Move over Mr Newsagent Provocateur, Horsham has a new shining star of the stage albeit in the unlikely shape of a middle-aged bespectacled gentleman, hair slightly receding and, at first glance somewhat unprepossessing. Proof if ever we needed it that true geniuses don't have to make an almighty song and dance to command attention, to hold an audience in the palm of their hand and, to leave an emotional footprint. But that's precisely what Tim Fifield did and some in his first one-man show at the Hawth in Crawley.

Tim is best known to many of us locals as a gregarious and naturally abundant presenter, but in his show he showed that he is anything but a one trick pony. Presenting from a plain black stage with a little background music that was cleverly used to signify the change from one character to another, Tim delivered a stellar performance that was emotional, poignant and humorous. He gave us an insight into his 10 carefully nurtured characters such that by the end of his performance I had developed an attachment and fondness to many of them. What struck me the most was the depth of Tim's talent not to mention his obvious ability to write a brilliantly witty script, ensuring that we never tired of his characters. Let's face it it's much easier to maintain the interest of an audience when there are many people bounding on a stage. For one man to hold an audience's attention for a whopping two hours, well that's a different matter altogether. But, he did it and he fully deserves the ensuing praise and plaudits.

Tim may not have commanded many theatres previously, but he's obviously been honing his craft over a lifetime. With such a brilliant and indeed blossoming talent, it would indeed be a great pity if he chose to go back to his day job.