The Box of Delights

The Box of Delights was originally one of a number of classic story books written by John Masefield. It was serialised on BBC Radio in 1943 and on TV in 1997, before it was first presented on stage in 2017. The Players’ production was set in a country house in the late 1930s and we find Kay Harker on his way to the house called ‘Seekings’, where he spends his holidays, following the death of his parents. He stays with a couple of friends and finds himself drawn into a world of magic and danger when he encounters an old Punch & Judy man. The box is left in Kay’s safe keeping and he must prevent the wicked Abner Brown from obtaining the box before Christmas takes place.

The Colwall Village Hall had been transformed into a very impressive set depicting the inside of the country house. A well-built solid structure provided for lifelike stone, brick, and wooden panelling, a rotating wall panel, projection screen, a tunnel entrance, all on three levels, with several entrances left and right divided by black legs.

We first meet ‘Kay Harker’ played by a young Conor Burch, asleep, which suggests the actions that follow may have been in his dreams – or were they?  Connor spoke with great presence and confidence, ahead of his years, with a very pleasant voice as well. Kay catches the train to Seekings which was quite an atmospheric scene with the ‘Train Conductor’ (Pip Barber), where he meets ‘Charles’ (Bill Wilks) disguised as a vicar and his accomplice ‘Pouncer’ (Anna Byers – great expression), and they steel his wallet. The Box of Delights is held by ‘Cole Hawkins’, a Punch & Judy Show artist, played very well by Michael Peden. The Box is much sought after because it allows its owner to shrink in size or to fly swiftly, to go into the past and to experience its magical wonders.

Kay meets ‘Caroline’ his guardian at Seekers (Sue Jago) and catches up with two friends ‘Maria Jones’ played by Alex Swift and ‘Peter Jones’ played by Sam Baldwin. Peter is a rather nervous youngster but Maria is bold, tends to enjoy violence with a love of pistols. Together with Sue, Alex and Sam fulfil their characters well. In-fact all principal roles are fulfilled with strength including Ben Swift as the ‘Bishop of Tatchester’ and particularly Steve Burford as ‘Abner Brown’ who desperately wants the box or he will be stuck in 1938!

When the box is opened in one scene, we are transported to a wild wood with forest animals and we meet ‘Herne the Hunter’ played well by Mike Fray. Abner sends ‘Rat’ also played well by Scarlet Swift to find the box, but Rat thinks it might be held by Kay’s friends and they are all captured.

In Act 2 the Bishop and his clergy are singing carols and one by one they disappear. Bill Wilks also doubled as the ‘Police Inspector’, a character I really enjoyed. There was also a great scene with Abner and the youngsters in the water which was well handled.

This was a well-directed piece by Chris Green, well dressed and supported by some effective lighting and music covering scene changes. Congratulations are due to all involved and I would like to thank the Colwall players once again for their warm welcome.

 

 

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