The Chalk Garden

An attractive set depicted a sitting room of rural gentility with  french windows leading out to the garden from where the child could be heard screaming as she danced around yet another fire. Doors led to other parts of the house and  an archway to the front door. The door on stage left  was between  an archway  and  a window, where did it lead?  

The play begins as Mrs St Maugham is interviewing for the post of companion to her granddaughter, a disturbed child, who is in her care. We see two unsuccessful applicants, brief appearances but important for the setting of the play, played by Mary Cross and Helen Deegan. The last to be interviewed is the enigmatic Madrigal who despite having no references is persuaded to become part of the household.

Madrigal  has an encyclopedic  knowledge of plants and a desperate need for them to be cared for and allowed to thrive. She forms a  bond with  the disturbed Laurel and the healing of that young mind begins. Beautifully played by Vickie Mogford with stillness and no emotion  apart from a sudden  outburst when she realises  that plants are suffering because of unthinking indifference. This was a  well studied and controlled performance.

Mrs St Maugham the eccentric older lady spends her days gardening but with a  complete lack of understanding of what the garden needs. She cares for her granddaughter but is  too selfish to realise what is needed to help that deeply troubled young mind. Clare Moughton was exactly what you would expect this character to be, in both appearance and demeanor, a lovely performance

Laurel, the precocious, pyromaniac child was played very convincingly by Louise Chudley. Her movements behaviour and responses were as a child. She was dressed as a young girl with her hair in an alice band  and one would have thought she was indeed sixteen, the age of the child she was portraying.  Interesting to see Laurel's personality become calmer with the influence of Madrigal.

Maitland the manservant, was a Conscientious Objector and had spent five years in prison. This has given him a lack of confidence and a need for approval.  He has become a friend to Laurel although he is very much in her control. Again his personality strengthens with Madrigal's support. Played by Richard Burt with a good understanding of the character.  

Olivia, Laurel's long time absent mother, arrives to take her daughter away. There are undercurrents of her own unhappy childhood  and  there is  still  a difficult relationship with her own  mother. With Madrigal's influence this rift is somewhat eased. Nicely played by Alison Harris, giving a more worldly contrast in  this rural setting.

The elderly Judge,  arrives for lunch. Madrigal recognises him as the judge who had sentenced her to death for murder,  commuted to a long prison term.   He tries to stop her from revealing this secret. Skillfully played by Peter Inman, stooped and walking with a stick but dignified  as one would expect with a person of great age and  importance, though it  was played by a much younger actor. The Nurse  who looks after the unseen elderly retainer, does not concern herself with the rest of the household except to disapprove, nicely played by  Sheila Webber. 

Make up was good and well considered. Such a variety of characters to be portrayed.  The judge was very cleverly aged, not too much but very convincing. Laurel was "youthened" very effectively. Olivia was sophisticated, Madrigal looked to have a natural unmade  face. Mrs St Maughan looked weather beaten, as you would expect from someone who spent many hours in the garden. The costumes were appropriate for the characters and setting  but it might  be advisable to be wary of white: stage lighting can be very revealing.  

It was particularly noticeable that throughout the play the diction was superb. This is always important but especially so with a work that is relatively unknown.

This was a rare opportunity to see an excellent play that is as relevant today as when it was first staged in 1955. A compelling story showing the effect one person can have on a household.

The Chalk Garden was an excellent choice for this society. It was greatly appreciated by the  audience who were totally immersed in the story. The experienced actors rose to the challenge of this great play where  the behaviour of  the central characters had been shaped by a complicated and disturbed past.   

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