Brimstone & Treacle

My first visit to Bancroft Players, and what a disturbing but enthralling play as my introduction!  Dennis Potter is renowned for tackling different and unnerving subjects, and on reading the programme synopsis I was definitely apprehensive, but I left feeling I’d seen a very good example of a small cast really immersing themselves in the characters and the story, despite the shocks the end of both Acts delivered, causing some gasps – possibly of both horror and disbelief - from the engrossed audience!

The static set was simple but contained everything needed for the story and setting of the play.  For myself, I would have liked a little more set dressing, there were a few pictures on the walls, but given the type of woman Mrs Bates was, I think things would have been a bit more fussy.

Lighting was well-conceived and appropriate, and it was great to hear every word the cast delivered.

Costumes were entirely suited to the people and characters, although I did notice that Mrs Bates shoes were much too large for her, but a small point!!

Yvonne Patterson played Mrs Bates – wife and mother – whose head was turned by the young man who suddenly appeared in her life.  I thought Yvonne played the part well, with good nuances of the caring mother, and aggravated wife, then acting almost like a teenager in response to Martin’s attention.

Graeme Bussey played Mr Bates, the archetypical man of the times, wife was expected to supply meals on time, and just get on with her lot in life, whilst at the same time caring for his daughter and wife, and not at all sure about the intruder in their life.  Again, good contrasts in his performance.

Amy Walker played Pattie, a young woman confined to bed and perceived as being more or less a vegetable after a car accident.  Amy was in bed until the very last few lines of the play, and whilst only making noises at times, we were aware of her presence.  A difficult part to undertake but very well achieved, with an even more shocking revelation at the end.

The final cast member, Max Campbell as Martin, was someone I was told had not performed with Bancroft before and was more used to Musicals, and as such he created a super character, sly, conniving and downright evil in his treatment of Pattie – very deplorable, but well done.  One of those characters I really did not like, he made me feel uncomfortable, which was obviously the aim.

My thanks to the Director for hosting us, and for giving us a play that was thought-provoking and strangely interesting!

Nova Horley

NODA Representative - NODA East District 3                  

 

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