Equally Divided

This play by the prolific and talented author, playwright and screenwriter Ronald Harwood was another in-depth window into the lives of ordinary people. We were greeted by an open stage depicting a converted railway carriage by the sea on the South- West Coast of England. The Set Design by Tim Greenwood and Joe Mallabone was very good and the set dressing was excellent. This played an important part in the plot, as we were to discover as the action progressed. There was a very impressive opening to the play as Teresa Mallabone, as Edith Taylor, was obviously searching for something as the audience was settling down and it certainly made us wonder what would be the outcome of her anxious and resolute deliberations.There was some excellent accompanying, atmospheric music, as we waited for the dialogue to commence. Well done to Teresa Mallabone for her opening soliloquy, which she performed with great feeling and conviction.The confrontations between herself and her sister Renata, played beautifully by Helen Barrow, were convincing and sensitively handled. Body language and facial expressions were excellent as the two sisters threw accusations across the room.Tim Greenwood as Charles Mowbray, the family’s Solicitor played his role confidently whilst stubbornly holding on to the information contained in the will. He was obsessed by Renata and at every opportunity, tried to ignore Edith, resulting in her feeling worthless.The fourth character in this piece was Fabian Hill, an Antiques Dealer played superbly by Ian Edmondson. Edith, at last, had someone on her side.I was particularly impressed with the sound effects of the sea and seagulls as the window and doors were opened and only the sea after dark.Congratulations to Rosemary Roe for her Direction and to the four actors for their interpretation of Ronald Harwood’s moral story.  The final question posed by Edith gave us all food for thought. “ Does the end justify the means”?

Many thanks for a very entertaining evening.

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