Equally Divided

This interesting play commences on a bleak February morning in the converted railway carriage home, somewhere on the south coast, following the funeral of invalid Mrs Taylor known throughout as Ma. Long-time carer, embittered plain daughter Edith is looking for some sort of justice. Glamourous, rich multi-married sister Renata has returned simply to face her past and reconnect, but fears she’s left this too late. Equal sharing of the estate is revealed by the family solicitor, himself a sad lonely widower and the story is oh so well known to many a family. A funny play with poignant moments too. The doormat transforms into a more assertive being, whilst sister Renata runs back to her life of doing as she pleases.

Credit to Iris Scandrett and Peter Huxley on their set design and to the construction team for the wonderful living room. A beautifully painted sea wall, shore and sky beyond. Using the local steam railway as a template, the living room was perfectly copied with two carriage windows opening and closing on cue to outside seashore noises. The front door even had a leather strap as would a carriage door. A fine collection of antiques was well displayed either side of the room seemingly amassing a great deal of value, a rather expensive carpet and strategically placed empty wheelchair. Excellent brightly lit wall lights shone during the later evening scene and paintings adorned the room. A huge props task was executed by Jane Barton and Morag Hutchinson. Contrasting lighting and well synchronised sound effects were particularly well cued by John Sewell.

Costumes and hair styling were ageless, devised by Steph Clarke.  However, I did feel the family solicitor looked rather more like a detective with the trench mac and a trilby.  I would have envisaged a dark suit or morning dress more appropriate.  Edith had a wonderful transformation from her black mourning outfit to the snug fitting red dress.

Iris guided her actors to use the limited space particularly well. Tina Gallagher understood Edith’s traits and with sometimes tortured body movements and facial expressions characterised this poor woman. Huge amounts of script for Edith, with a particularly good opening monologue whilst on the telephone to her only friend Doreen. Anna Jury played out the glamorous Renata, a rather tragic figure relying on her analyst, unable to re-connect with her one remaining family member. She and John Roberts, as solicitor Charles, acted out a rather drunken scene together.

There was a lack of pace at times and perhaps the play would have benefited from a little more rehearsal time. Fabian Hill, local antiques dealer, a little on the crooked side who, adoring lovely things, lightened the pace. Barry Thomas, sporting a bow tie, used terrific facial expressions,  brought this character to life.  

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