Hobson's Choice

This uplifting tale of the ultimate triumph of a determined and fiercely bright daughter over her bullying father, to marry the humble bootmaker she had set her heart upon, never fails to stir the human soul. How Maggie Hobson ultimately bested her bullying father and encouraged the overawed employee bootmaker Will Mossop to finally become both her husband and equal is, I suggest, far more believable in today's world than when Brighouse wrote it just over a century ago.

Yet another in a long line of TOP's wonderful sets, designed by Martin Beatty, aided by a numerous in-house building team, transported us seamlessly back to 1880's Salford.

Peter Damesick gave a virtuoso performance as Henry Horatio Hobson, skilfully transferring from arch bully through intense frustration at being thwarted and finally into forced ultimate acceptance of a partnership with his former employee. Peter's performance was thrilling and will long linger in the memory.      

Jane Kortlandt as the indomitable Maggie Hobson relished the strength of this wonderful role, inhabiting rather than acting the character.

The final leading character of Will Mossop is a highly rewarding role for a top character actor. Ian Brown showed huge acting depth as he took Will Mossop on his Damascan conversion.

Three lead players of such talent is a rare present for any director to work with, and experienced director Tricia Whyte used these special ingredients to create the icing on a formidable cake, so to speak.

But this cake had more magic, even without  the delicious "icing" A cast of experienced players - with a handful of those clearly well within their twenties - gave sterling portrayals of their very diverse characters.   Phoebe Sleeman and Philippa Lucas as Maggie's sisters Vicky and Alice Hobson, had not their sister's will to stand up to their father, but both gave lovely performances. Andrew Claringbull as Jim Heeler, another Victorian bully, did his best to stand alongside the fearful Hobson as his drinking partner. Even baddies must have friends!          

Luke Grizzel and Chris Bassett both convinced as the two boyfriends, Fred Beenstock and Albert Prosser respectively. Bruce Christie as foreman "Tubby" Wadlow and George Duda as an insistent Dr. MacFarlane brought their clear stage presence to bear. Jackie Barrett played the forceful customer Mrs. Hepworth to the hilt. And last, but certainly not least, youthful  Shannen Knutsen did well as Ada Figgins.

A strong cast of twelve, without a weak link did director Trish's dramatic vision proud.

As ever with TOPs, they can boast  of a highly experienced, efficient and dedicated group of techies, backstage and front of house team to enhance their productions. Among these, many played full parts. I must commend Stage Manager Muriel Lister, John Chinnock on sound and his wonderfully used  and highly evocative brass band music which was truly special. Richard Grogan was on lighting assisted by Alison Redford and Muriel Lister on props / set dressing. SM  Muriel  also dovetailed on props and set dressing.

But the palm must surely go to visionary stage director Tricia Whyte who also did the realistic period costumes and more set dressing.

One day, if only by the law of averages, I will leave the theatre after a TOPs production, less than deeply impressed. Suffice to say that this has never happened yet and this rattling Hobson's Choice was yet another corker of a production.                                   

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