Set in 1908 Yorkshire, J B Priestley’s play is a witty insight into Edwardian marriage and a timeless exposition of what is both tender and ridiculous in human nature. And it is funny, very funny. Three middle-aged couples meet to celebrate their wedding anniversaries – all married on the same day in the same place. Their comfortable middle-class bubble is burst when it transpires their marriages may not have been solemnised by a fully qualified clergyman. How can they possibly keep up appearances? However, after much chaos and confusion all ends happily.
Chesil Theatre did full justice to Priestley’s well-crafted dialogue and characterisations. Norma York’s faultless comedic timing as the mischievous charlady, Mrs Northrop, stood out. Harriet Gandy as Ruby the maid was equally entertaining as a 15-year-old working class lass, breezing through the trauma in her employers’ lives as if it were a works outing.
The obtuse and pompous Councillor Albert Parker was captured perfectly by Eric Petterson. Juliet Surridge as his wife gave a subtle performance, gradually emerging from her timidity with very satisfactory results. Caroline Hall and Paul Revell were convincing as the snobbish Helliwells. A very scary Clara Soppitt was played by Rachel O’Neill and Stephen Percy gained our sympathy as Herbert, the woebegone husband. Richard Martin was hilarious as the drunken photographer and well matched with Marina Humphrey’s saucy performance as Lottie.
The production was authentic to the period, from costumes by Gerry Tuff to sound designer Malcolm Brown’s jaunty brass band music. The detailed Edwardian parlour furnishings were meticulous from set designer David James. Director Lisbeth Rake used the theatre’s small stage very cleverly. At the beginning of the play, the three wives are seated passively whilst the men stood authoratively, but this tableau shifted as the play progressed. The movement and placement underscored the changes in dynamics as social reserve began to seep away. This was a polished performance from the Chesil Theatre’s actors and a great evening’s entertainment.
Jenny McRobert
Chesil Theatre did full justice to Priestley’s well-crafted dialogue and characterisations. Norma York’s faultless comedic timing as the mischievous charlady, Mrs Northrop, stood out. Harriet Gandy as Ruby the maid was equally entertaining as a 15-year-old working class lass, breezing through the trauma in her employers’ lives as if it were a works outing.
The obtuse and pompous Councillor Albert Parker was captured perfectly by Eric Petterson. Juliet Surridge as his wife gave a subtle performance, gradually emerging from her timidity with very satisfactory results. Caroline Hall and Paul Revell were convincing as the snobbish Helliwells. A very scary Clara Soppitt was played by Rachel O’Neill and Stephen Percy gained our sympathy as Herbert, the woebegone husband. Richard Martin was hilarious as the drunken photographer and well matched with Marina Humphrey’s saucy performance as Lottie.
The production was authentic to the period, from costumes by Gerry Tuff to sound designer Malcolm Brown’s jaunty brass band music. The detailed Edwardian parlour furnishings were meticulous from set designer David James. Director Lisbeth Rake used the theatre’s small stage very cleverly. At the beginning of the play, the three wives are seated passively whilst the men stood authoratively, but this tableau shifted as the play progressed. The movement and placement underscored the changes in dynamics as social reserve began to seep away. This was a polished performance from the Chesil Theatre’s actors and a great evening’s entertainment.
Jenny McRobert
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