EDITH IN THE DARK

The drama of the evening began before any words were spoken from the stage! The leading male character was caught up in the traffic chaos on the M6 and the effect was to put the start of the play back by 30 minutes.

Now to the play itself.  A very dark study of the life of Edith Nesbit, author of the famous childrens' book "The Railway Children." Who would have thought that the writer of such a classic work would have had such a troubled life?

In 1887 she met Hubert Bland and in 1880 and seven months pregnant, they married. A stormy marriage with Bland managing to get at least two other women pregnant during the marriage. One, Edith's good friend Alice Hoatson came to live with Edith as her housekeeper with Edith adopting the child. Thirteen years later Alice again became pregnant and once again Edith adopted the child.

Edith was a prolific writer and to bring in the money she wrote poems, articles, and a series of books. Among her many friends were H G Wells, George Bernard Shaw and members of the Fabian Society. Hubert died in 1914 and she eventually found happiness and remarried in 1917.

The action of the play takes place in the attic writing room of Edith's house and centres around Edith. She was a strange lady obsessed with death and horror and she hid herself away in her attic room every evening. On this evening she shared her thoughts with Housekeeper Biddy Thricefold and a guest from the party taking place downstairs, Mr Guasto.

Stories were read and acted out by Edith and Biddy and romantic overtures were made to Mr Guasto by Edith but he did not take advantage of these.

Three actors Samantha Allan (Edith), Lynne Young (Biddy Thricefold) and Rob Meehan (Mr Guasto) held the audience spellbound for over two hours. I shall not reveal the surprise ending except to say that I think only a few people in the audience were expecting it, judging from the reaction when the play ended.

A good set, very atmospheric in the attic, plenty of props including an old desk and chair, numerous trunks, and even torn wallpaper on the walls.

Certainly an evening to be remembered and one of the few plays I have seen where three actors captured the audience in such a manner.

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