26th April 2025
Everybody's Talking About Jame
Whitehaven Theatre Group Trust Ltd, The Solway Hall
Hobsons Choice
Author: Jackie Kay
Information
- Date
- 18th July 2013
- Society
- Farnworth Performing Arts Company Ltd
- Venue
- Farnworth Little Theatre
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Peter Haslam
Set `In the Round` there was the feeling of being there,so close to the actors were we. The set was simple but well thought out and I knew we were in for a splendid night`s entertainment.
The play revolves around the three daughters of Henry Hobson. The two younger girls Alice and Vicki were well played by Katy Clayton and Katie Toole. Their boyfriends
Albert Prosser and Fred Beenstock ( James Haslam and Garath Mabon) were well paired with the girls.
Cameo parts Mrs Hepworth (Sandra Blyth), Jim Heeler (Ian Duckworth). Tubby (Phil Ward) and Dr Macfarlane (Derek Darlington) were all well cast, playing their parts with real conviction.
The three leading players were fantastic. Clive McCoy playing Henry Hobson alternates from being the harsh head of the house and then meekly falling in with the demands of his daughters. When he tells the girls just what he thinks of them and how they should behave, he really conrols the stage, superb.The eldest daughter Maggie acted brilliantly by Natalie Crompton is the strong member of the family who runs the shop almost singlehandedly. Her father has decided that Maggie is now too old to get married and the rest of her life is to be in the shop and to take care of him. Little does he know that she has other ideas.
Working in the shop is William Mossop (Ben Latham). He makes wonderful shoes and although very shy, Maggie decides he will marry her. The audience sees the changes that Maggie brings about in Willie, laughs coming thick and fast as she teaches him how to behave.Their wedding day and night as he debates what he should do is so funny, does he follow Maggie upstairs or stay on the sofa.. Maggie soon sorts that out. I loved the way his character grows as the play unfolds, always checking with Maggie that he is correct. They are so well matched.,.a smashing pairing.
Finally my congratulations to the director for a great evening and to Natalie for not just taking the lead in this show but for the beautiful costumes which she made. They were true to the period. Thank you for the welcome,a loveiy night.
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