Great Expectations

Staging a production in a church is of course not a new concept but it can be tricky. Consideration has to be given as to how best the play can be presented without detracting from the spendour of the building itself. For the most part this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations worked well. There was some good acting and we could hear every word.

However, I did have a few issues with the set. It was obvious that a lot of attention had been given to getting this just right and I know the society prides itself on its lovely stage sets. In this instance though, the performing area did seem rather overdressed at times and somewhat at odds with its surroundings. Perhaps keeping things very simple with an open stage, a pared back set and a minimal number of props, embracing the fact that the actors were performing in a church rather than on stage, would have enabled the production to move along at a better pace.  It might also have done away with the need for the impromptu curtains which I did find rather annoying.  

That said, I did enjoy this production. The pace picked up in the second half and there were some good performances.  Henry Vandyk as Young Pip and Connor Hughes as Adult Pip both played their parts well, as did Elliott Haggar as Adult Herbert Pocket. Unfortunately, I appear to have missed the appearance of Young Herbert. Those of us in the front couple of pews were, for the most part, unable to see the action taking place in the centre aisle, which was a shame.

Paul Winspear and Lisa Turpcu were well cast as Joe Gargery the blacksmith and Mrs Gargery (his wife and Pip’s sister).  Both gave excellent performances but I would like to have seen Mrs Gargery look rather less pristine.  Good performances also from Gerald Dale as Magwitch and Wizzy Farmer as the adult Estella.  Miss Haversham was well played by Louise Reed, especially the death scene.  Some leaping flames courtesy of the lighting guys would have made it even more realistic but that aside, this scene worked well.  Well done to Philip Deans who stood in for Mark Edwards as Mr Pocket when he had to pull out at the last minute.

Projected scenery is becoming very popular and can be most effective.  Just a pity it was, of necessity, so high up.  Maybe the effect was better nearer the back of the church.

There were some nice musical interludes from the children during scene changes and the supporting cast all played their parts well.

Overall this was a good, nicely costumed production performed by a well rehearsed cast.  Jenny King can be justifiably proud of her adaptation of this classic Dickens’ novel.

Thank you for inviting me.

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