Christopher Scott as William Collyer and Jayne
Lunn as Hester Collyer
The deep blue sea
Sutton Arts Theatre
*****
Practically every theatre company in the
world probably, has faced huge challenges during the Covid years. Non
professional theatre has suffered the most, being self funded and
reliant on the commitment of personal time from enthusiastic players who
hold on to a true love of theatre.
If overcoming those challenges were not enough
then taking on the might and depth of a Terrence Rattigan play might
seem a step too far.
The Deep Blue Sea is regarded as one of
Terence Rattigan’s most accomplished works. Its singular theme is the
destruction and havoc that a passionate love affair can bring to the
lives it affects and not always in a positive or happy way.
Set in 1952 it focuses on a married woman, Hester
Collyer, who has left behind not only her formal judge of a husband Sir
William Collyer, but also his wealth and social position, for a
gambling, hard drinking, ex-airforce pilot, Freddie Page and a rundown
London apartment. The depth of her emotion for him and his lack of
commitment to her, leads her to an attempted suicide which is where the
play begins.
Rescued from her fate by the neighbours, she is
revived by one of them, a struck off doctor, Miller. Miller uses his
occasional and detached life philosophy to rationalise the tight web of
tension between all involved, giving the broken Hester the only glimmer
of hope for her future life.
Jayne Lunn takes on the formidable task of the
emotionally charged Hester and did an outstanding job at measuring
Rattigan’s fiery exchanges with her lovers and the sadness of her
despair. Hester is consumed by her love and the constant tension needed
to deliver a real portrayal of woman in meltdown was met with an
unflinchingly dedicated performance by Miss Lunn.
Christopher
Commander as Freddie Page
Christopher Commander seems perfectly named for
the role of a military character as the ex-pilot and Hester’s love
interest Freddie. Rattigan’s own experiences are embedded in the
character as he was once himself a rear gunner in the RAF during the
war.
Freddie is drifting in his own life, now that his
exciting war years are behind him. Mr Commander did a superb job on all
counts and at finally reflecting on his regret over his casual
commitment to Hester and his sense of loss when he eventually leaves
her.
Not to be outdone in the performance stakes is
Christopher Scott as Collyer, Hester’s doting, estranged husband.
Rattigan uses Collyer as a contrast for a societal and companionship
style of devotion to Freddie’s physical and daring passion. His
exchanges with Hester were both heartfelt and genuine. Collyer offers
her the final chance to return to the safe place of their marriage but
Hester has other ideas in mind.
Richard Millward did a fine job as Jackie, the
supportive old RAF buddy and ear to Freddie’s complaints, adding an air
of common sense that Freddie refuses to acknowledge. The mysterious
doctor is played by Andrew Tomlinson peppering the scenes with his
anecdotes with Valerie Thomlinson as Mrs Elton the ever supportive
landlady. Excellent acting support also came in the form of Tom Cooper
and Katie Johnson as Philip and Anne, the young married neighbours, who
discover Hester’s first failed suicide attempt.
Director Faye Hatch has done a great job in
holding back the horses and making sense of what is clearly an intense
ride. The Deep Blue Sea packs so much into its running time,
its tragically sad, occasionally amusing, but it is eternal in
portraying the intensity and mental toll relationships can impact upon
anyone.
After the straitjacket of these past Covid years,
the struggle to make sense of our lives and relationships remain as
intense as ever. The ability to rise to the challenges of those either
on a personal, or performance level or as theatre company, have been
faced and clearly met here and makes it a production well worth seeing.
The sea will be in sight to 05-03-22.
Jeff Grant
24-02-22
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