This week at the People’s Theatre in Heaton, Michelle Magorian’s much-loved classic GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM.
This week at the People’s Theatre in Heaton, Michelle Magorian’s much-loved classic GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM.
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Eliza (DaisyBurden), Pickering (JimBoylan), Higgins (Jake Wilson Craw) photo Paul Hood |
One of George Bernard Shaw’s classic plays, the iconic
Pygmalion tells the tale of flower-girl Eliza Doolittle as she is catapulted
from working class poverty into high society. After a bet is made between the
rich Professor Higgins and the even richer Colonel Pickering, it is decided
that the uneducated ‘guttersnipe’ Eliza will be trained to be a lady. Even
though her tutors’ own manners are at times sadly wanting, she is successful.
But what then? Where does she fit now. This is a witty show of class and morality.
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Higgins (Jake Wilson Craw), Alfred Doolittle (Jack Thompson) photo Paul Hood |
Director Tracey Lucas has created one of the best
productions I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. I hope to go a second time,
if only to see if I missed any details, such as Higgins standing next to his own
portrait, mirroring the same pose. Actors moved the larger pieces of set for
scene changes as they continued to chat, in character, creating a smooth and extremely
elegant switch. The set (designed by Sands Dobson) was just enough to set the
scene without being overly complex or intrusive. The costumes (wardrobe Linda
Girling, Poppy Carlaw and Luke McVeigh) and wigs (Wiggy), encapsulated the feel
of each individual character and added vibrancy to the picture created on the
stage with, at times, an almost rainbow-like effect. While lighting (Claire
Brissenden) and sound (Kate Scott), were timed perfectly and synchronised effortlessly
with the action on stage.
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Mrs Pearce (Helen Parker), Eliza (Daisy Burden) photo Paul Hood |
The acting was superb from everyone and the Ensemble (Hannah
Backhouse, Oscar Errington, Ella McFetrich and Damani Richards) often had me
giggling. Alisha Peart and Helen Doyle were charming as mother and daughter Mrs
Eynsford-Hill and Clara Eynsford-Hill. Joseph Carss
was delightfully dippy as the joyful, lovestruck Freddie. Helen Parker played
the stern but kind housekeeper, Mrs Pearce, to full force as she tried to look
after Eliza’s best interests. Jack Thompson was sublime as the drole semi-philosopher
Alfred Doolittle. Maggie Childs was everything you could want and more as Mrs
Higgins - seemly the only woman who can bring her son Henry Higgins to heel.
Jim Boylan hit the perfect cord as the gentle and kind Colonel Pickering. Daisy
Burden was incandescent as Eliza, managing the difficult task of transitioning
her character through the show, from ‘draggle-tail’ to ‘duchess’, while keeping
a strong and wilful mind. She showed us all how she, unlike Higgins, is strong
because she is capable of evolving and adapting. Jake Wilson Craw is the new
standard by which any actor playing Henry Higgins must surely be measured as it’s
difficult to see the role being played any better. He hit the sweet-spot of
making the character neither too likable nor too disagreeable, and made every
action seems so natural.
Truly an astoundingly good show, worth seeing at least
twice.
Pygmalion is showing at the People’s Theatre until 22nd
March.
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Harry (Ian Willis) photo Paul Hood |
Hangmen, written by Martin McDonagh, is difficult to describe,
except to say it deals with dark and disturbing themes in a very sardonic way.
You find yourself laughing, whilst also thinking ‘is this ok?’ It’s a
little unsettling what subjects can be made ‘funny’. Set in the sixties, we start
by watching a man called Hennesey as he seemingly attempts to argue his way out
of the noose at the last hour with his protestations of innocence. Hangman,
Harry Wade, is having none of it and the job of his hanging is done. Cut to a
couple of years later in the now-retired Harry’s pub, the government have
abolished hanging and, as the (formerly) second-best hangman in the country,
people want to hear his thoughts. The warm mood of the Oldham pub changes as a
stranger appears and old colleagues visit. The subject of Hennesey, and the
question of his guilt, comes up several times through the show – but was it
Harry who took his life or the courts?
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Alice (Alison Carr) & Mooney (Craig Fairbairn) photo Paul Hood |
Director Matthew Hope has created a thought-provoking and
entertaining show that keeps the audience’s attention with its dark ‘gallows’
humour. The music between scenes was a clever nod/link to the actions it
bookended as swift scene changes took place. The set, lighting and sound (all designed
by Tim Swinton) were nicely detailed and gave an excellent ambiance to the
whole production.
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Hangmen photo Paul Hood |
The whole cast was very strong and all showed excellent skill throughout. Harry, played by Ian Willis, had such perfect timing and showed us the true colours of a pompous man who doesn’t feel the need to question why he thinks something. The chilling, yet charismatic, fast-talking newcomer Mooney, was played by Craig Fairbairn, who was mesmerising as he intimidated and undermined those around him.
The play itself, reflecting the attitudes of the times and
handling sensitive themes, is not for the faint-hearted, with some violence,
strong language and outdated attitudes on display. That notwithstanding, it’s a
very funny, dark and atmospheric play.
Running until 8th March at The People’s Theatre.