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Broadstone Players War Memorial Hall Broadstone November 2002 OVER-LONG PLAY HAD TOO MANY FLAWS This play, so popular with amateur societies over 50 years ago, has four good acting parts for middle-aged women. There is also an Irish nun, who can be any age, and only one male character, under 30, who should be prepared to kiss the obligatory maid of the household. The plot is strong though predictable, but for modern audiences the plot needs judicious cutting and a very much quicker pace. Nearly three hours in the theatre, with one interval, is too long for a play which cannot be called gripping. The set and its adorning properties were outstandingly good and the period costumes rustled appropriately. But the young man's modern trousers with zip-up peeping spoiled the 19th century illusion. And why were his shoes not muddied as the dialogue indicated they should be? The cast were all perfectly audible and they spoke their lines well. Val Mantle was the restless, retired actress and the three sisters were contrastingly played by Janine Williams, Simone Manston and Betty Pemble. Tom Sainsbury had a commendable London accent; Marion Watson was a believable nun and Rebecca Fewings the gullible maid. John Pemble, the director, needed to introduce menace and a variety of pace into this leisurely production. Unfortunately, Judy Garratt, the prompt, had too large a part. Christopher Eden Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo |
