Ladies in Lavender

Heart-warming and gentle this is delightful play that captivated the audience with all on stage doing full justice to the stage adaptation written by Shaun McKenna. No thrills or brashness ‘Ladies in Lavender’ is undeniably very English

On stage Mary Whitehouse, as ‘Ursula’ and Sandra Haynes in the role of ‘Janet’ played the two sisters to perfection. Both with sensitivity and emotion, convincing and portraying their respective characters and ultimately the loneliness felt by both ladies.

Paul Viles as the somewhat bumbling Doctor gave an accomplished performance. Jill Simkin played ‘Dorcas’ most effectively lightening the mood to the many more dramatic sequences with some comic lines and a no nonsense significant portrayal in a lilting Cornish accent. Accents too were superbly well demonstrated by David Smith as ‘Andrea’ and Leah Solmaz as ‘Olga’ Both excellent in their respective roles. The violin scenes were well acted by the Doctor and Andrea

An extremely effective set self-built provided an excellent platform on which the story was told. Framed in a compact format that included, Lounge, Bedroom, Beach, Garden with the right level of compactness to leave the audience believing this was a quaint property in a Cornish village.

Costumes of the period brought that extra element of authenticity as did the props and furniture on the set. Sound effects too depicting thunderstorms and whooshing waves on the seashore were most creative.

No spangles and sparkles though the appropriate interruption of the haunting musical score composed by Nigel John Hess for the original film sound track just enhanced the whole production.

Our enjoyment of the production was made even more special by the warm welcome from Grange Players and the kind hospitality in a venue that is the home of the Grange Players celebrating their 65th season.

Thank you again for a delicious piece of live theatre and I must now look out the recipe for Stargazy Pie! 

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