Make Way For Lucia

 

A play that I have never come across before “Make way for Lucia” is a comedy by John Van Druten based on the novels by E F Benson. 

The story line is set in the coastal village of Tilling in the early 1930’s. A formidable lady and local busybody Miss Mapp has run the social scene in the village for many years. Lucia has rented a cottage from Miss Mapp for the summer and she is soon taking over the social scene from Miss Mapp, who is not going to give way without a fight.

This proved to be a very enjoyable play, I would say it was a nice gentle comedy, the script was well delivered at a good pace with a lots of light and shade. I thought the costumes looked fabulous and created the right style and image for the 1930’s.  The set looked superb, an open stage with no front tabs, so that the cast could make maximum use of the space available, which I thought worked very well

The action centred on the four main characters.  Mrs Emmeline Lucas (Lucia), Georgie Pillson. Miss Mapp and Major Benjamin Flint.

I thought that Genette Churchill as Lucia, gave an outstanding performance, with excellent diction, superb poise and statue, she really carried the play throughout. 

Chris Stowie was very impressive as Lucia’s camp side kick Georgie, his looks, mannerism and comedy timing were excellent

I was also really enjoyed Christopher Burdon, as the old retired Army Major who was trying to win Lucia’s heart but without success.  I suspect that when dressed as a gladiator in the second act, he was distracted by the laughter he created, because he had a blank, then unable to hear the prompt, he kept in character and strode across the stage into wings to ask for it. A sign of an experience old pro at his best

 

Jean Dishington, Miss Mapp, really came across as, a jealous, interfering, old busy body. Several times I thought she deserved a round of applause from the audience as she haughtily left the stage. but they were a little on the quiet side

The seven other cast members, in the minor roles, all performed well, as each added their own contribution to the action

Like many plays, the script seemed to fade away in the second act, it finishes with what seems to be two oddly matched couples, both announcing that they are getting married, and everybody lives happy ever after.

This was Clare l’Anson first venture as director and to be honest I thought she could have chosen something a little easier to start with. However I thought that she made an excellent job of directing this play and I look forward to watching her develop her talents both as a director and performer.

 

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