TERENCE Rattigan’s play about a father’s determination to take on the might of the British Government in order to prove the innocence of his naval cadet son, accused of stealing a postal order, is a fine choice for this talented company in their Golden Jubilee year.
The Edwardian era is excellently depicted in a superb set crammed with period detail – including a clock in which Arthur Winslow shows total faith despite it having shown the same time for the entire two years of the plot’s duration.
Unlike his clock, Frank Holden is a master of timing as Arthur Winslow, with every line and pause given its full weight. Lonnie Watson as his wife, Grace, and Jan Watton as Catherine, his daughter, both skilfully display their characters’ changing emotions while Andy Brennan gives a fine, well-measured portrayal of the disgraced Ronnie Winslow and Peter Brown is suitably laid back as his brother, Dickie.
The ever-excellent David Wickham is most impressive as leading barrister Sir Robert Morton, with his cross-examination of Ronnie the highlight of this superb production, which is beautifully directed by Ann Robertson.
There are impressive performances too from Judy Harris (Violet), Jeremy Smith (John Watherstone), Maggie Reid (Miss Barnes) and Roland Courtney (Desmond Curry), although the latter was occasionally inaudible.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Evening Echo