Still Life and Star Chamber

We were greeted on arrival by two gentlemen smartly attired in dinner jackets, one of whom kindly showed us to our seats.  This lovely old theatre was converted from a tithe barn by the Countess of Warwick during her time at Little Easton Manor. All the big names of the day were brought here to entertain her guests and I like to think she would have approved of these two plays by Noel Coward.

First up was “Still Life” upon which the film “Brief Encounter”, staring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard is based.  The curtains opened to reveal a station tearoom with sooty walls, as was common in the not so good old days of steam trains. Two windows at the back of the stage looked out onto the platform and through them we could see trains pulling in and out of the station. This was most impressive. Tables in the tearoom were well dressed with check tablecloths and small vases of seasonal flowers.  A well stocked counter was situated upstage right.

Good convincing performances from Netti Lomas as Laura, the housewife who gets a smut in her eye, and Adam Thompson as Alec, the doctor who not only comes to her rescue, but falls in love with her.  Over the course of a year, we watch as they meet up weekly in the station tearoom.  When Alec receives a job offer overseas, painful decisions have to be made.  Their last meeting is emotional but abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Laura’s friend Dolly.  Returning from a shopping trip, Dolly proceeds to chat away to Laura, quite oblivious to the fact that she has arrived at a most inopportune moment. This was a lovely cameo role, brilliantly played by Marcia Bryan.

The strong supporting cast included tearoom manageress Myrtle (Gill Williamson) and ticket collector Albert (David Bone) conducting their own, rather more flirty relationship and Stanley (Cameron McDonald) pursuing tearoom assistant Beryl (Jane Presland). Chris Plumridge was Bill, a soldier trying to get Myrtle to serve him a drink out of hours.  Completing the line-up was John Hanley as a customer.

Following the interval was “Star Chamber”, described in the programme as one of Coward’s lesser known one act plays.  The set was that of an empty theatre with a large table and chairs on the stage, ready for a meeting, and a lovely backdrop of an empty auditorium. The management committee of a theatrical charity is due to meet to discuss funding for a new wing for a retirement home for destitute actresses.  Secretary Mr Farmer, a good performance by David Bone, is the first to arrive, followed by an assortment of theatre people, all of whom appear more interested in their own lives than the business in hand. All the cast gave good, expressive performances, including Fabienne Hanley as Hester More, Heather Bennett as distinguished actress Violet Vibart, Adam Thompson as comedian Johnny Bolton and Netti Lomas as Dame Rose Maitland. Madeline Harmer gave a wonderfully over the top performance as Xenia James, wafting in with her doggie companion Atherton under her arm.  Taking the chair she agrees  to the proposals put forward, waving away any attempt to go into detail and expressing sympathy, faux or otherwise, for the “poor darlings”. This was a great piece of acting. Completing the line-up and giving great support were Cheryl Ferris as Jenny Horlick, Chris Plumridge as Julien Breed, John Hanley as Maurice Searl and Jane Presland as Elise Brodie. John Jones was  the photographer.

This was a very entertaining programme and for the most part the acting was good.  There was some hesitancy from one or two of the actors in the opening scenes of Still Life, due perhaps to first night nerves. Costumes throughout were good including some beautiful outfits for the ladies in Star Chamber.

Sound and lighting were good as was the well chosen incidental music of the period.

Thank you Greville for a very entertaining evening.

 

 

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