Kind Hearts and Coronets

Marlborough Dramatic Club’s production of a 1949 Ealing Comedy, Kind Hearts and Coronets, was an absolute treat. We were introduced, gently, to the cast as they drifted through the auditorium at the beginning of the play when Colin Richardson, as Archibald Gascoyne Williams, was writing his memoirs at his desk. He decides to enlighten us as to the contents of these musings and hence starts the story of his journey to inherit the Earldom of Gascoyne. Colin was amusing, fluent and possessed of an endearing twinkle in his eye as he muses on how he is to ‘remove’ all the other 6 people in his way to his inheritance. With a shrug of his shoulders to dismiss any criticism, and a well-timed ‘needs must,’ we were transported on a journey of skilful intrigue supported by a great cast of supporting actors.

Marlborough actors just ‘understand’ this time period and are masters of the understated, well timed, witty lines. It is always a joy to watch and I feel tremendous confidence in their hands knowing that they will transport me away from Brentwood and into a charming former era for a few hours.

Archie’s younger self was played by Richard Spong, therefore, a lot of the storyline fell on him to display the inspiration that drives this plot. The glee with which these two accomplished actors handled their shared character was an absolute delight. We all found ourselves rooting for them to succeed in their aim to commit their dastardly crimes of murder and eliminate the obstacles (or shall we call them family members) in their way. Even to the extent of thinking about ‘removing’ the 18-month-old son of the Earl, the scene stealer Little Ronnie, played magnificently by an angelic looking Leon Spong who received a round of applause as he exited in the arms of Esther Lane played with delightful gravitas by Louise Richardson. Archie’s turn to the audience as the baby disappeared, the raising of one eyebrow and the tilt of a head resulted in horrified but amused groans from the audience as he uttered the immortal phrase…’needs must’

William Wells played a wonderful Reverend Henry Gascoyne killed by the bell in his church and also Wilfred Gascoyne, perished in a fire in his apartment. Both these roles were played with fantastic attention to detail but none more so than his depiction of the faithful retainer, the butler, Gorby. His slow progress across the stage was beautifully timed and his bent back resonated every inch of his resentful service to his master. Andrew Spong, as Lionel Holland, the dull man beloved by Sibella, Gascoyne Gascoyne and Harry Gascoyne was another well cast, beautifully delivered set of roles. Graham Poulteney, as Gascoyne Gascoyne senior and owner of the company that employed Archie, was sympathetically portrayed and gained everyone’s support, even Archie’s. All these actors who took on multiple Gascoyne family members were so well portrayed and coped with costume and wig changes so well.

Roy Hobson as the Earl, was fabulous. I always enjoy his performances which are all witty, well observed and beautifully depicted. Charlii Spong as Sibella, Archies first love, is a confident actor completely in control of her part and Abbie Whichelo played a lovely second love of Archie as Edith Gascoyne. These supporting roles were so well played by the actors and I loved the cameos that they injected into the action. Karol Pattern with her range of waitress costumes and the flick of a tablecloth nearly stole the show a couple of times!

My apologies to those cast members that I haven’t mentioned but I really enjoyed your performances and  the numerous times you joined the audience in the auditorium for weddings and funerals.  You make such a tight knit company with not a weak link amongst you.

Sound and lighting were good and bang on cue with all the sound effects. There was some lovely timing for the ducks quacking during the proposal scene.

The plain white set gave a nod to the black and white original film and was used very well.

Huge congratulations to Lindsey Crutchett for an impeccably directed show. Your hard work was evident by the smooth and seemingly effortless running of the play. I was so involved with the story that I forgot to write many notes but I enjoyed it immensely.

Thank you for looking after us so well.

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