Last Tango In Whitby

Mike Harding is well known for his music and stand up comedy and for his love of the outdoors. He has also written over 40 books and plays covering a wide range of topics from poetry to fly-fishing. Although he was born in Manchester he has lived in the Yorkshire Dales for the last 40 years.

This play, “ Last Tango in Whitby” reflects his Northern roots and his excellent observational skills. The play takes place around Whitby in the 1980’s and the minimal set with an open stage with one curtain was all that was required as a backdrop for each scene. Furnishings and props delineated the changing venues and we were soon involved in the story of the various characters on their Annual Charabanc trip to Whitby.  Sound and lighting played an important part in establishing the settings, ranging from hotel, beach and pier.

Vanessa Randall, Director is to be congratulated on bringing out the various nuances of all characters on stage and had the difficult job of teaching them twenty old -time ballroom dance sequences involving twelve different dances. This must have been quite difficult because of the small playing area but it was very effective. Having two additional playing areas each side of the stage gave the piece an added dimension. I particularly enjoyed the sensitive piano accompaniment by Isobel Ritchie- Ingham This must have evoked many memories for some of the audience. It certainly did for me.

Costumes had been well researched and were appropriate for the period.

All the cast worked well together and were very convincing as a tight-knit group on holiday who were intent on enjoying the hotel where entertainment was provided by Phil and Edna, Jeff Brookes and Sue Longley,  both strong characters. Mary Doyle as Pat the recently widowed central role was very believable as she was torn between her loyalty to her deceased husband and her feelings for Phil. Many in the audience would feel an empathy with her concerns about the future.

I did feel, at times that there was a lack of pace, not helped by some actors struggling for lines. Having said that there were some delightful characters and we were transported to a fun filled seaside resort, far different from the atrocious weather outside. I was impressed that most of Mike Harding’s humour came across to the audience and the cast are to be congratulated on their timing. This was my first visit to this company and I would like to thank all concerned for a very warm welcome afforded my wife and myself.

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