Make Way for Lucia

EF Benson's novels of the 1920/30s were a gentle, humourous take on life within a small village and were very popular back in the day. This particular story was developed for the stage by John van Druten.

When Mrs Emmeline Lucas (Lucia) moves into the village of Tilling an intense social rivalry begins between her and the resident kingpin, Miss Elizabeth Mapp from the outset - each trying to outdo or trip up the other, in the most genteel of ways, naturally.

The key roles of Mapp and Lucia were well handled by Julie Johnson (Mapp) and Teresa Webb (Lucia). The rivalry between them nicely maintained throughout - each showing by word, gesture or action her grim determination to wrongfoot the other. The humour of their antics had been well developed by director Shaun Johnson.

They were well supported by Jonathan Litchfield as the fussy, rather effeminate George Pilson and Richard Llewellyn as the bluff, loud Major Benjamin Flint. The rest of the cast all managed to fit into the spirit  of the play as the inhabitants of Tilling, eager to dish the dirt or join in with the local gossip. I particularly enjoyed Steve Wilson's Revd. Barlett who achieved exactly the right, almost unintelligible Scots accent. Well done. And Mick Mills coped very well with his Italian dialogue. Johanna Beech managed to portray the staight-faced maid with much aplomb.

Once again the set, depicting the interior of Miss Mapp's home which she had let to Lucia was a triumph. The lighting and mood music all enhanced this well-directed play and the backstage crew worked hard to effect the changes necessary between scenes. Congratulations to the dressers too who had their work cut out to facilitate the many quick costume changes. The play succeeded admirably in highlighting the perceived eccentricities of English humour.

Thank you for your kind hospitality; this is really much appreciated. Although there was a little hesitancy on delivering lines at times nevertheless it was a most enjoyable evening.

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