Liberty Hall

Liberty Hall by Robin Jennifer Miller is a spirited farce revolving around Tom, a young man determined to impress his new American girlfriend, Zoe. To gain her admiration, he fabricates a story claiming he is an English nobleman with a grand family estate. When Zoe expresses interest in visiting this supposed ancestral home, Tom enlists his friend Colin’s help to arrange a weekend at Ashworth Hall, a quaint country house hotel. Their plan is to pass off the hotel as Tom’s family estate, which leads to a series of humorous mix-ups and misunderstandings.

Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by the delightful front-of-house team and had the opportunity to meet both directors, Dan and Hennasey. The hall had been beautifully arranged with tables, chairs, floral centrepieces, and a selection of nibbles, creating a welcoming atmosphere that immediately made the audience feel as though they were guests arriving at a charming country house hotel. This thoughtful setup perfectly set the scene, drawing everyone into the world of Ashworth Hall even before the play began.

As the lights dimmed and the curtains drew back, we were met with a stunning set - the lobby of Ashworth Hall. Complete with a reception desk and bell, a classic Chesterfield sofa, a bookcase, and richly detailed décor, the scene was an immediate visual treat, setting the tone perfectly for the farce to unfold.

George was portrayed with a steady presence, adding significantly to the momentum and comedy of the play. His interactions with Barbara were especially enjoyable - well timed and full of character, making their scenes lively, fun, and dynamic. Through expressive body language and natural facial expressions, George came alive in a way that fit seamlessly into the unfolding action. His performance consistently maintained a balanced and engaging presence that helped to sustain the comedic rhythm throughout the play.

Barbara (aka Lady Stokes) was full of confidence and wit, with clear and powerful diction that brought the class masquerade vividly to life. The interpretation of Lady Stokes was thoroughly enchanting, with a fabulous posh accent and wonderful facial expressions adding humour and character to every scene. Lady Stokes stood out as a delightfully exaggerated figure within the chaos, fully embracing the absurdity of the role while helping to hold the whole charade together. This added to the play’s charm and heightened its playful, mischievous tone.

Tom came to life with charismatic energy; a character caught in the web of his own well-intentioned lies. He handled the fast-paced dialogue and constantly shifting situations with confidence, maintaining the momentum of the play throughout. As the pressure increased and the story grew more tangled, the actor demonstrated a strong sense of timing and delivered the comedy with a natural ease. Tom’s increasingly desperate efforts felt believable and added an enjoyable layer of satire to the unfolding bedlam.

Colin was a constant source of humour and charm, bringing a quirky, good-natured presence to the role. Willing to go along with every twist in support of Tom, he added to the mayhem with well-judged comic timing and a strong sense of fun. His appearance as ‘Miss Grey’ was a highlight - complete with exaggerated mannerisms and a wonderfully over the top presence, this character added a brilliant layer of visual comedy and elevated the absurdity. Whether reacting to the absurd situations or diving headfirst into the charade, Colin remained an engaging and lively presence. His enthusiasm and playful spirit enhanced the overall comedic impact of the play.

Zoe was played with warmth and sincerity, capturing the character’s blend of innocence and idealism with conviction. The performance balanced Zoe’s eager belief in Tom’s world with subtle moments of doubt, making her trust both believable and touching. Her presence brought a calm centre to the increasingly ridiculous commotion around her, and her ability to stay hopeful - even as the lies piled up and the situation spun out of control was both endearing and very funny. Her characterisation was thoughtful and controlled, using gentle gestures, a soft vocal tone, and subtle facial expressions to reflect Zoe’s kindness and quiet strength.

Anna.. or should I say ‘Scary Anna’ commanded attention with confident, brash, and sharp wit from the moment she appeared. Her sudden arrival stirred the plot, adding tension that propelled the story forward. The way she challenged Tom’s new relationship was both calculated and believable, introducing conflict that heightened the drama. Her timing and delivery brought nuance to the unfolding revelations, making each scene with her feel charged and dynamic. This blend of boldness and precision - made Anna a force to be reckoned with, driving the action with a fierce intensity that was impossible to ignore.

Marvin was portrayed with a loud, boisterous energy that perfectly captured the character’s brash American attitude. The performance emphasized Marvin’s knack for misreading social cues, turning his awkward flirtations into genuinely funny moments. His enthusiastic yet often clumsy attempts to navigate the cross-cultural confusion added plenty of amusement and heart to the play. The excellent American accent, cowboy boots, hat, and bootlace tie brought charm and authenticity to the role, highlighting the character’s larger-than-life personality. This careful attention to detail, combined with a spirited portrayal, kept Marvin engaging and enjoyable throughout the performance.

Miss Davis (the actual English teacher) made her presence known from the outset, immediately commanding the stage. She arrived with a clear purpose to speak to George and Barbara about their son Thomas - bringing an air of seriousness that contrasted with the play’s unfolding chaos. As the play went on, she became progressively more inebriated, adding a layer of comedic chaos to her quick wit. Her growing drunken unsteadiness introduced unpredictability to the scenes, creating moments that were both humorous and charged, as the character’s usual composure unravelled in unexpected and entertaining ways, leaving the audience eager to see what would happen next.

A few of my absolute favourite moments stood out brilliantly throughout the performance. The proposal scene between Marvin and Miss Grey was wonderfully endearing and filled with playful charm, delivering both humour and a touch of romance. The cleverly designed set, with its numerous operational doors, added an extra layer of fun and complexity - each entrance and exit were perfectly timed, showcasing the cast’s impeccable comic precision and making the comedy of errors flow effortlessly.

One of the standout visual gags was Miss Davis’s hand mysteriously reaching out from the cupboard to snatch the bottle of wine from Tom’s grasp - a brilliantly executed moment that had the audience roaring with laughter. And, of course, the fabulous, witty script itself was a constant source of delight, brimming with incisive wit and clever wordplay that kept things lively from start to finish.

The direction was absolutely top notch, bringing clarity, pace, and polish to every scene. It was evident that each cast member knew exactly where they needed to be at every moment, with movements that were sharp, well-rehearsed, and perfectly in sync with the fast-paced demands of farce. Beyond the technical precision, what truly stood out was the sheer joy radiating from the performers - it was clear they were thoroughly enjoying themselves on stage, and that infectious energy pulled the audience right into the fun. Their enthusiasm, chemistry, and confidence made the experience feel vibrant and alive, creating a wonderfully immersive and uplifting evening of theatre. A Massive Well Done to Dan and Hennasey.

Thank you so much for the invitation to such a wonderfully fun and entertaining evening - I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and already look forward to next year’s production.

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