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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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Stooping with style and smiles She Stoops to Conquer
Highbury Theatre Centre
**** AFTER several
intense, dark and emotional dramas, Highbury players take to the stage
with the much loved, She Stoops to
Conquer. This restoration comedy isn’t exactly falling
apart, even though it was written in 1773 by Irish author Oliver
Goldsmith, and its litany of mistakes and romantic trickery has endured
without rebuilding while its clever plot remains a favourite for study
around the world It centres on the Hardcastle household and the
arrival of two travellers who are on their way to meet the daughter
Kate. En route they are tricked by her half-brother Tony Lumpkin into
believing the house an Inn and on arrival there they treat it so, much
to the disdain of the owners and the entire household. Everyone in this large cast seemed to revel in
the opportunity to play up and take to the stage in their colourful 17th
century finery. The twists and turns in the play pretty much can
be found in many a contemporary rom com that has an element of mistaken
or assumed identity and the Highbury Players negotiated the detail of
these very well, all under the direction of Ian Appleby. Jack Hobbis played Marlow, one of the house
guests and the suitor to Kate, and did a fine job of displaying the dual
personality of his character, nervous and tongue-tied with upper class
women, such as Kate, yet full of charm and confidence with the lower
classes, or, in this case when Kate impersonates a serving maid. Kate was played by Katie McDermott who bristled,
shimmied and beamed as the mischievous daughter taking every opportunity
to involve the audience in her asides and bosomly performance. The half son Tony Lumpkin was played by Simon
Baker a role that seemed to suit him down to the ground as he delivered
an energetic and comical performance as the irreverent heir to
household. The second love interests in the plot are Cousin
Constance and Marlow’s co traveller Mr Hastings played by Louise farmer
and Mark Mulkeen respectively and both delivered highly enjoyable
support performances.
Owner of the manor is Mr Hardcastle played by
Richard Ham who clearly had to effectively pile on the years in order to
achieve the character of an older man frustrated by the outrageous
behaviour of his houseguests. His wife was played by Alison Cahill who
again shone as the bored captor of the country home caught up in the
antics of her younger counterparts. In support were another ten Highbury players in a
variety of roles who all added colour and vibrancy to this well
performed play. With some nice lighting effects by Andrew Noakes
and simple but effective staging by Malcom Robertshaw this enduring
drama is well worth seeing, if only to appreciate how originally good
the writing is for its time and how so many other comedies have borrowed
from it over the years. To 28-06-14 Jeff Grant
18-06-14 |
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