Hobson's Choice

Hobson’s Choice is an uplifting tale, of the ultimate triumph of a determined and fiercely bright daughter over her bully father, to marry the humble boot maker she had set her heart upon, set against the backdrop of Salford, Lancashire in the 1880s.

Malcolm Congreve gave a great performance as Henry Hobson as he skilfully transferred from arch bully through intense frustration at being thwarted and finally into a forced acceptance of a partnership with his former employee, Will Mossop. Liz Franks as the domineering Maggie Hobson relished in the strength of her character and maintained a good pace in the delivery of her dialogue, which helped, in the overall flow of the play.

The lead character of Will Mossop is a highly rewarding role and Shaun Higgins didn’t disappoint. This role took great acting depth and was maintained on stage even when not part of the main dialogue. There was a clear character transition from the start of the play to the final curtain and a wide range of facial expressions.

Grace Turner and Tilly Sayce Evans as Maggie’s sisters Alice and Vicky Hobson along with Jake Baker as Albert Prosser and Jamie Evans as Fred Beenstock (the suitors of the sisters) gave us a wide range of mixed characters to enjoy. Along with Dave Ryder who played Jim Heeler, India Watson who played Ada Figgins and Rob Bound as a very Scottish Dr Macfarlane.

I really enjoyed Will Lewis as Timothy Wadlow (Tubby) and Fiona Ashbuy as Mrs Hepworth. Although these are both a small parts to play they gave us great depth of character and a real sense of realism to the era of the play.

All characters maintained their correct regional accents throughout. There were a few uncomfortable moments during the evening with performers struggling for their dialogue but overall the flow and pace of the play was well maintained by lead characters played by Liz Franks and Shaun Higgns who compensated by being word perfect.

Costumes were mostly suitable and of the period along with well-stylised wigs; the backdrop was reminiscent of the paintings of L S Lowry and Ffin Dillon on sound hit every cue with the tinkling of the shops front door bell.

This was a mixed cast of experienced and first time performers and I am sure that Director Kath Evans is delighted in how the cast of twelve has worked together to bring Salford 1880 to life on stage at the Attfield Theatre.

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