REVIEW: Things I Know To be True
By Andrew Bovell
Performed at The Old Court Theatre
Friday 19th April 2024
All I knew about the play this evening was that it was about a family. Such little information made me ill prepared for the lives of the Price family as they navigated their way through such a torrid and turbulent period of change in their lives, and left the audience reeling from the breadth of emotions they experienced. There was nowhere to hide. You could not walk away or react as one normally would, and yet you were so drawn into the family unit, you felt you should act in some way. Protect, yell, defend, and grieve. Not many performances I have seen have made me so invested in the lives of the characters.
The matriarch, Fran, was performed by Lily Chase. Clearly a hard working woman wearing her nurse uniform for most of the time, she was direct, busy and unforgiving. Never faltering in her strength, she was a perfect pairing with her equally hard working yet retired husband Bob, played by Paul Warner. Their powerful bond and exchanges had you truly believe this couple had been together since their youth, living the 9-5 and beyond, doing all they could to keep the family unit fed, housed and happy. The range of emotion, restraint of rage and fierce love over their family was mirrored in their children, all now fully grown adults, all making their own mistakes.
The siblings, Rosie, Pip, Ben and Mark, each had a personal journey to go on as they found their paths away from their parents. Each one struggling, yet returning to their home in the greatest time of need. Rosie was played by Isabel Marsh, who easily drew out the immaturity and empathy of her character, and her instinct was very natural to protect her brothers and sisters as you feel she would have done since she was very young. Pip, a mother with dissatisfaction with her chosen husband, was played by Claire Lois Walkinshaw. A cold woman with a wandering eye and business opportunity overshadowing her parental responsibility, she held herself a little distant from the family. The monologue with the letter and her mother’s reactions was a very strong scene, and showed us the inner turmoil not previously revealed, which gave us more understanding of her decision making. Ben, played with great range by Andrew Raymond, was the first to bring a real danger to the stage; a surprise, following from his earlier warm hug with his mum who still washes his shirts. The energy, wide eyed fear and unpredictable outburst with his father was difficult to sit and watch, and truly riveting yet heart breaking. A very powerful pairing of father and son locking horns. Paul Macklin played Mark, the seemingly overlooked son, whose sensitivity appeared to baffle his parents and frustrate them until his true sense of self is revealed. A difficult part to play, and very hard to see him break away from all he knew to become the person he was meant to be. His monologue was captivating.
The set emphasised the garden, a poignant place in each of the Price’s family lives, and was well designed for plenty of space, making use of the centre thrust. The stage became the kitchen and seating area, all simple, practical, and allowed for a natural setting of the family home. Lighting and sound was used to good effect, with a lovely split in the lighting from the stage onto the garden bench which was used well to separate the energy from within the home to the peaceful setting of the garden.
The director, Ben Maytham, and Assistant Director, Christine Adams Davidson have cast this very well. The collaborative rehearsal process has clearly allowed these natural bonds to form within the Price family dynamic, and the flow of scenes and need for the writing to ebb and flow with the emotions has been handled very sensitively.
If you want to see excellent theatre, do not pass this production by.
Katherine Tokley
Independent Review
REVIEW: The Vicar of Dibley
(Christmas Lunch & Winter)
Chelmsford Theatre Workshop – The Old Court Theatre
Friday December 8th 2023
Directed by Kat Tokley & Rob Whitfield
What a pleasure to see The Old Court Theatre bursting at the seams with a full house which had been the same for almost the whole fortnight. The excitement of the audience looking for a Christmas show rather than a panto and the smell of mulled wine being served gave us all the excuse we need in these dark times to enjoy a great night out. With the lit Christmas tree in the foyer this was an excellent choice for this theatre company.
Kat Tokley and Rob Whitfield, the Directors, had worked their magic to transform the stage into two different areas. One the home of the Hortons and the other Geraldine’s home. Later in the second play the area was transformed into a stable for the Nativity scene. Excellent dressing of set and great props made this feel you were there with them. The backstage crew led by Dave Corder worked tirelessly, especially in the first show, changing the different homes for Geraldine’s three dinners.
The first show, Christmas Lunch, is a hard one to direct as the flow of the many scenes means a stop start feel, but Katherine and Rob cleverly used the children to sing in front of the thrust. Geraldine (Julia Stallard) was super in her improvisation, talking to the audience whilst the backstage crew got on with their sterling job.
This production was expertly directed and the casting was really well chosen. Without exception, all gave very accurate portrayals of their television counterparts. As these characters are so well known to people of a certain age this was a triumph for the directors as you could see from just how much work had been done.
Julia Stallard as Geraldine Granger gave a simply wonderful performance. Here was an actress who really understands the role, with great attention to detail and excellent comic timing, she was outstanding. With such a demanding role being on stage all the time she commanded the audience with her presence and was totally believable.
Alice Tinker/Horton (Charlotte Gant), was a complete joy. Great West Country accent and although a little quiet right at the beginning came into her own, was delightful as the naïve, gullible and lovable Verger. Her mannerisms and shyness were all delivered incredibly well.
David Horton (Alan Edwards) is the bombastic, privileged Chairman of the Parish Council. He always has to be right in his over bearing manner and shuts down anyone else’s ideas. Alan is a stalwart member of any play that he is in and really got to grips with this role.
Jim Trott was in the first week played by Rob Whitfield who had to step in when Mark Preston caught Covid. I was pleased to see Mark back doing what he does best as the comedic bumbling Jim Trott – no, no, no, yes! Frank Pickle (Richard Pennicard) , played with understated humour was the excellent pairing to this duo and together made the audience laugh out loud.
Hugo Horton (Maxwell Rose-Rogers) was delightful and in the first show too shy even to kiss Alice and in the second fainting at the sight of Alice giving birth in the stable. Dominated by his father he gave the audience the chance to root for him. The team work that was built during rehearsals between him and Alice definitely worked as they really did seem a couple.
The cameo performances of Mary Tinker (Abigail Hunt) as the dim sister of Alice who thinks its Easter with her bunny ears at Christmas and Mrs Tinker (Sue Tokley) with grey fuzzy wig, grey socks and pearls were both excellent. I think Mrs Tinker with her ‘Were you’ got the most laughs of anyone on stage.
Bursting through the door with incredible stage presence was Andrew Raymond as Owen Newitt, here was the local farmer secretly lusting after Geraldine and totally brilliant in the role. This was an accomplished comedic performance; I hope to see more of him on stage in the future.
Tristan Campbell (Ben Maytham) and his fiancé Aoife (Sarah Rumble) were the pair who wanted to be married by Geraldine. Both gave very competent performances, adding to the joy of the production.
The Youth cast that came on and off during the show were all incredibly well behaved and should all be very proud of their acting abilities and singing on stage. Well done all of you.
Lighting and Sound were excellent and the lighting around the stable added to the scene. Costumes were excellent. I especially loved the red waistcoat with Happy Birthday Jesus on it and the splendid angel wings on Geraldine’s outfit got their own round of applause. The Nativity scene costumes were also good with the fun camel hobby horses. It was pointed out to me though that Geraldine never wore her dog collar which in all the series she always does. Just a little extra which would have been nice to have seen.
This was an excellent evening’s entertainment, giving us all a real treat to start the Christmas festivities. We loved watching this show and thank you for the refreshments offered by the great front of house staff. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Christine Adams Davidson
CTW 