Playhouse Creatures

The year is 1669 a bawdy and troublesome time!! Theatres have re-opened after 17 years of puritan suppression and English actresses are legally allowed to appear on stage.

This clever play dramatically directed is based on real life characters and the lives they lead both on and off stage. I will start with Mrs Betterton (Karen Franklin), the wife of the Theatre Manager, who lived to the great age of 75. She was forced to retire, much against her wishes, by her husband, despite still showing great talent. She became confused and showed signs of madness at the end. Doll Common, the only fictional character in the whole play, (Marlene Tincknell), narrates the play. She is the ‘dogs body’ in the theatre expected to run after everyone doing the basic chores and fill in on stage when required. These two are the busiest in the production and depict their characters perfectly, Mrs Betterton rather ‘upper crust’ her stance and walk being particularly good. Doll Common was the opposite in every respect with her wonderful facial expressions and shambling walk. Nell Gwyn, well known as the mistress of Charles 11, (Rosie O’Leary) started out shy and unsure but developed as her affair with the king progresses. She looked and acted the part with particularly good diction. I loved the Earl of Rochester (Samuel Cocozza) especially in his death-bed scene which was highly amusing. The Earl was Mrs Barry’s lover (Linsey Oliver) and was responsible not only for her success in the theatrical world but also in the business world. Mrs Marshall (Carol Clark) was a joy to watch. Everything she did was over the top giving the audience plenty of reason to laugh out loud.  Mrs Farley (Kellie Aylward) was another of the king’s mistresses who died before her 40th birthday. We saw her in many stages of her short life, all ringing true. There is no doubt her best times were when she was acting. She carried herself well especially when pregnant and the transformation when she fell on hard times was exceedingly clever.  That leaves just Thomas Otway (Ruben Pol), last but not least. His part wasn’t very large but he made the most of it with clear diction and good acting. Incidentally he was another one who died in his early thirties, broke and begging.

This very interesting and captivating play brought home how much things have changed over the centuries especially the life span of so many people. I was impressed with the lighting and sound team and the set was magnificent.  I have never seen a small stage area used to better effect and the back cloth was outstanding in the ‘stage area’.

My congratulations to the entire society for a magnificent effort in every respect.

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