84 Charring Cross Road

Sleaford Little Theatre – 84 Charing Cross Road - This charming classic, brings together twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London. Their relationship, captured so acutely in these letters, is one that will grab your heart and not let go.  SLT’s wonderful show is a dramatisation of this story (adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans), starting with business letters but in a sense, they are also love letters. They are about the love of good literature. Though they never meet and are separated both geographically and culturally, they share a winsome, sentimental friendship based on their common love for books. The play begins in 1949 when Helene Hanff (played by Caroline Johnson) first writes to Marks & Co. and ends in 1969 with the death of Frank Doel, (Brendan Sheppard) the delightfully dusty supplier of so many old volumes to Helene who shows her gratitude through the years by sending "care packages" to the staff of Marks & Co.

The director, Linda Mallett, kindly met me at the theatre and I was able to ask her about the process of bringing this story to the stage.  This was originally supposed to be staged as the Covid Pandemic hit, Linda told me this true story was a delight to bring to Sleaford, despite the delay.

The staging was excellent. The split set was wonderful, so many great elements. Stage right was the New York apartment, and stage left was the dusty bookshop, complete with the practical shop door and the street outside. What a wonderful space utilised well by all the actors. Set designed by Garry Goodge, and built by Clive Musson, Stewart Shield, David Malkin, Simon Bradford, Terry Hayes, and Garry Goodge. So many excellent props, particularly the books, (Tony Goodge). Scenic artists were Mary Newman, Joan Lawton, and Garry Goodge. I enjoyed the street scene, the wood paneling, and the bookshelves in the bookshop, it all looked musty and dusty, I could almost smell it. Properties by Helen Hill meant the set dressing was super, every embellishment correct for the time and style of the story. The change of scene, when Helene moves to a different apartment, was very well done. I enjoyed this scene and all the changes that took place during the dialogue. Very well done indeed.

Caroline Johnson was phenomenal – superb voice work, excellent diction, great singing voice, and her acting choices brought the character to life. I enjoyed every moment and all her dialogue, she was such a tremendous actor, well done. Frank Doel played by Brendan Sheppard also had lots of interesting dialogue and was well-voiced.  I did however feel Brendan stole focus at times, which was a distraction and, in some moments, went a little over the top. For instance, when he had a cold, sneezing and over-egging the handkerchief element. I also felt he was a little too fussy, dusting the books and too much hand flapping. I feel he missed a trick. The character of Frank is a quiet gentle person, with an uptight, profoundly ‘correct’, almost pompous attitude.  Brendan seemed to try too hard with the humour and so Frank became a caricature rather than a real person. I would suggest listening to your director and holding back a little more. The humour comes from Frank not knowing he is bringing the funny elements, allowing the audience the credit of understanding the way an uptight man can seem ungainly, and prim. Saying that Brendan gave an energetic performance and was word-perfect as far as I could tell. His interactions with the other characters in the shop were excellent and this enabled the other actors to feed off his actions and everyday activities were a true embellishment to the story.

Hazel Bridgen was playing Cecily Farr and she gave a strong performance. (First-night nerves kicked in, but I can forgive that!) Her acting choices worked well and the director seemed to get a lot out of this character and the way she interacted with Frank and the other staff.  Charlotte Shearsby plays the delightful Megan Wells, a super actor who brought a lot to this part. Charlotte brought out the poignant elements and I particularly enjoyed her farewell scene. Another American character was played by Laura Davies, a great part and the over-the-top character of Maxine Stuart who is Helene’s friend was amusing and quite charming. A gently humorous monologue that explained so much about the character and the friendship between Helene and Maxine. Nigel Guilliatt played Bill Humphries, who was busy in the back office most of the time.  Nigel gave a master class in ensemble acting, every moment giving energy to the role. Along with Tony Gordon as Mr Martin, Garry Goodge as Alvin and the deadpan Mrs Todd played by Mary Rudkin, all embellished the action and created an enchanting atmosphere both in the shop and in the New York apartments.

Lighting by Alec Hill was a tricky function of the staging. I can imagine the struggle to light both sides of the small stage without overspill and trying to keep the shadows to a minimum was a bit of a nightmare. But you were successful despite these limitations.  Sound production by Richard Bridgen, I felt was well balanced and I enjoyed the musical interludes and effects.

Your programme (Tom Creasey) was lovely, with good pictures and cast information and interesting piece from the chairperson and the director, cast and crew listing, and forthcoming productions. Sadly, it lacks the NODA information so Once again I can not put this forward to the NODA competition. Your poster is also missing the NODA badge.

Well done Linda a well-directed play that was appreciated by your audience, it brought tears and laughter from me. Thank you.

 

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