Humble Boy

I was delighted to be invited to Oldbury Rep’s production of “Humble Boy”, a play I had never heard of before. The play had been chosen by Janet Grant, who previously had played the role of mum, and she wanted to direct a well written play as she herself had thoroughly enjoyed playing that role.

The author, Charlotte James, had written a number of plays but according to Janet not that many were particularly well-known.

This is just a cast of six, the son, Felix Humble, a theoretical physicist, his mother Flora, Flora’s friend Mercy, Flora’s lover George, his daughter Rosie, who has history with Felix, and The Gardener.

This was a simple, but effective set. All scenes were set within a flower filled garden and a beehive set at the back amongst the flowers. The lighting and sound were excellent. Scene changes worked well and slipped seamlessly from one into another.

Felix is a theoretical astro physicist, intellectually brilliant but emotionally inept. The role being played by Tim Ward who dithered and stammered all the way through perfectly, his dress sense is non existent much to his mother’s disgust. He played the role much in keeping with an absent-minded professor and you warmed to him affectionately.

Flora was played by Samantha Gessey her adaptation of the character of Flora, I am sure, would have pleased the author no end. Classic rendition of a mum at odds with her son’s behaviour and dress sense, played superbly.  

Sue Jones played Mercy, Flora’s friend, who was general peacemaker to all and the complete opposite of Flora, her reactions when she finds out she has put a spoonful of the dead man’s ashes to the gazpacho was brilliantly played.

Keith Thompson playing George gave an excellent performance as Flora’s lover. His commanding stage presence as he shows his frustration around his relationship with Flora was portrayed excellently. He, often being joined by his daughter Rosie, played by Natalie Forbes-Moore who complemented one another wonderfully in their interplay and banter as well as some extremely well-executed interactions between her and Felix, who never really knows what reactions are expected of him.

Finally, but not least the Gardener played by Dek Bagley who hid his secret subtly and superbly! The build up to the final dénouement was wonderfully handled.

All six actors merged together to perform a seamless production and an utterly enjoyable one. The mixture of comedy and sadness was well received by the audience, and I came away feeling thoroughly refreshed and looking forward to future productions. I have said before that Oldbury Rep have a group of very talented actors who can undertake many different roles.

Janet has certainly directed an exceptional play with exceptional actors, delightfully well cast, all the characters were entirely believable which added immensely to the enjoyment of the evening.

However, any good play is only as good as the supporting cast and Janet is fortunate in having a group of very experienced members to assist in the production: Wayne Colwell and Deb Carr Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager; Production Assistants and Prompt Sandra Bird and Lin Mcleod; Sound Martin Hudson and Louis Carr; Lighting design Nick Fereday and Mark Guest; Lighting operations Nick Fereday, Mark Guest, George Clayton and Laura Gilbert; Set design Janet Grant, Em Allen and Ray Lockey; Set builders Pete Turton, Dave Higginbotham, Ross Ashley, Lee Chatwin and Alan Spragg; Props Janet Grant, Jayne Mills and Diane Careless; Costumes Dot Ormston, Oldbury Rep wardrobe, Janet Grant and the cast.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and thanks to all

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