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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Dancing through a forgotten gem After the
Dance Sutton
Arts Theatre ****
SUTTON Arts Theatre continues what has been a great season so
far with Sir Terence Rattigan's
After the Dance. The play first opened in 1939, closing after just 60 performances and was seen as a failure. It was hidden and forgotten until a 1992 airing on BBC2, it then saw a brief reviaval in 2002 and then was revived again by the National Theatre two years ago where it was finally recognised as a lost masterpiece. The story takes place in the
late 30s, in the Mayfair apartment of Joan (Anne Deakin) and David
Scott-Fowler (Nigel Higgs), an apartment with a splendid balcony
overlooking the courtyard. The set works well, with no shifting of
scenery or props - with the exception of the drinks bottles and glasses
which are pivotal to the story. Joan and David were the bright
young things of the 20s, married for amusement and are trapped in a time
warp, living a Peter Pan lifestyle of parties and good times. David's ward and secretary
Peter (Richard Ham) is planning to marry a Peace Treaty baby, the
romantic and very young Helen Banner (Suzy Donnelly). However,
Helen is in love with David and not only that, she wants to stop him
from drinking and take him away from his decadent lifestyle.
Family friend, companion,
jester and lush John Reid was played with conviction and humour by Allan
Lane. However, my heart sank as he verbally tripped over his exit
lines. A dreadful shame after such a good performance! There was a charismatic and
amusing performance by Christina Peak as Joan's long-time friend and
there were fine performances from Richard Ham, Richard Irons, Dan Payne,
Lee Davies and Marion Pritchett. Deakin comes into her own with
her solo performance as Joan who finds that Peter is to divorce her to
be with Helen. I truly felt her grief and her subsequent struggle to
keep control of her emotions. How terrible that her husband should
find out that she had actually loved him through all the years. In the penultimate scene, the
Scott-Fowlers throw a huge party and Joan beseeches her husband to play
her favourite oldie, Jolson's Avalon. As he plays, the party
revelers gather around the piano singing at what becomes her requiem.
Again very moving performances by Deakin and Lane. There are some amusing
moments, which at times seemed to vanish over
the heads of some of the audience. The costumes are authentic and
the ladies party frocks are extravagantly lavish -
although the gents wigs are a little dodgy. Overall:
a very entertaining show. To 18-02-12. Lynda
Ford |
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