Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones

I didn’t know there were over 250 different types of bee in the UK – 25 of these bumble bees, one a honeybee and the others solitary bees! Some interesting literature was available and the little A5 leaflet programme with an original artwork design front cover was particularly well put together.  Marking the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings this was an appropriate play, perhaps not always comprehensible in scientific terms but an interesting insight into relationships and individual characters. Six talented actors brought this play to life and rocked our emotions.  The lead stereotype is reversed in this piece and is paralleled with the social structure of the beehive – its queen being the prominent being. 

Yes, some of the language was ripe real for the character and somehow didn’t seem offensive, a modern Hamlet perhaps. Subjects varying from physics to astrology, bees and beekeeping, Latin flora names from a ghost gardener – what a mix! Great touches of comedy intertwined, a mix up of seasonings in the soup, poor downtrodden Mercy, vain streaks from Flora with ’nose job,’ her chalk and cheese relationship with self-made ‘Fly Pye’ semi-retired coach company owner.

Cambridge astro physicist Felix is searching for a unified field theory and his passionate belief in black holes. On the sudden death of his Father, Felix returns to the family home and overbearing mother. He subsequently discovers James has been stung by one of his bees, dying from anaphylactic shock, the reason why the bees are removed with only the hive remaining.  Set in a beautifully tended summer lawned garden, with a perfect blue sky, flowered archway, white picket fence, colourful shrubs and border plants, a wall hanging basket, a pair of patio windows leading into the house.  Apron corner was a garden bench, together with a very special blooming rampant Josephine Bruce red rose. Beautifully constructed by Trevor Lewing and his team, with backdrop courtesy of Karen Spencer, numerous excellent props from Jenny Turner and Keith Jellicoe’s speciality - an illuminated beehive.  The technicians used new equipment with Keith Miller programming - Peter and Lucy Hogg operating plus Andrew Mier overseeing noises and levels. 

Tom Miller mastered his character Felix, appearing on opening in cricket whites, his stutter quite apparent. Not coping well and disturbed as to where his late Father’s ashes should be scattered, sadly even contemplating suicide. With his brilliant mind, his task should have been simple but not for poor Felix. A brief fling with Rosie, now nurse, daughter of George (the widow’s prospective new husband, after a long-term affair) resulted in the birth of a daughter, who she obviously adores. Felix is last to learn this, his Mother cruelly having kept the truth from him. Kerry Gentleman played Flora Humble with style, great hurt and vanity who ultimately decides she will not marry George, who pleads with her to no avail. Mercy Lott is a spinster with a secret crush on George, would do anything for Flora. Clare Murray plays this character with bold colours after funeral blacks but according to Flora the ‘wrong shoes’, we really felt for this downtrodden lady. Andy Godfrey gave an excellent characterization of George who’s larger than life, sporting light slacks and a blazer, earphones blaring Glen Miller, was loud and foul mouthed. Great performance.  Imogen Willetts, was strong minded, determined to stay single, a loving mother who was not averse to leading poor Felix on , sexually. Casually dressed – with some very good scenes with Felix. Pottering throughout the play, a gentle ‘invisible’ gardener wearing a panama, very knowledgeable.  A lovely part played sympathetically by Keith Miller.  All this jelled with the careful direction of Aisling Tigwell.

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