The Children's Hour

The Children’s Hour Written by Lillian Hellman is based on a remarkably true story she heard of in 1800s Scotland. A complicated woman in herself, Hellman pens a shocking drama setting it in America in the early 1930’s - not for the faint hearted.

Bolton Little Theatre choose the Forge theatre, the smaller of the two to magnify the intensity of the drama. With back wall having two entrances and the alcoves adorned with picture in each and an old-fashioned record player in one. Between was a bookshelf. The floor had a rug in the centre and furniture was all of muted colours with a chaise lounge with roll cushion, Large wooden desk with green leather inlay on the top and chair and complete with rubber stamp, pen and pen holder and books. Two wooden chairs around a pedestal type small table. Soft chair facing inwards. This was quickly changed by cast into the aunt’s room with a few tweaks and added candlestick telephone. Minimalist and it worked to help the action move along. Set builders were Jeff Lunt, Steve Butler, Helen Livesey, Ahmed Sadeghi and Sara Khameeree. Props were Charlotte Carlin, Helen Livesey and Paul Flanagan. Stage Manager Alison Whittaker.

Lighting worked well and Sound was unobtrusive as should be. Lighting Design Peter Gower and John Lyon. Lighting Operation was Nigel Cropper. Sound Design Peter Gower and John Lyon, Sound Operation by Helen Livesey and Jim Walton.

Costumes were delightful and stylish, the school girls looked great in the crisp white blouses and navy pinafores. Mrs Lily Mortar’s outfits were spot on for her character and a great hairstyle. Karen Wright’s outfits worked well too and the first – the grey suit - was very striking. Seamed tights noted. For the character of Lois Fisher her fringe needed to be pulled back to avoid looking so modern and there was also a hairband around her wrist. Overall though hair looked great and I especially liked the character Peggy Rogers’ hair in the plait around the head. All make up was low key as it should be. Wardrobe Lorraine Parry.

Eleanor Maxwell directs and this is her first time for Bolton Little Theatre. I did feel it was handled with a sensitivity and I liked the connection that the two leads had with each other. There were times when I could not see the action because of blocking from where I was sat but Eleanor made sure the space was well used and the floor and positioning explored in various tableaux with the cast. I look forward to your next production, Eleanor.

The cast were Lois Fisher played by Caitlin Embury, Evelyn Munn played by Madeleine Haworth. Agatha, Mrs Tilford’s maid was played by Emma Morris. Agatha was the all-knowing woman who speaks her mind. Rosalie Wells was played by Ella Sanchez caught up in the lie and forced to participate and you could see her turmoil.

Peggy Rogers played by Jaime Morris another caught up in the deceit of the lie and unwittingly feeds it. Some great facial expression and I could see the real anguish at not wanting to give into Mary and give her spending money over – lovely performance. Milly Tilford the protagonist is played by Catherine Cropper as a hateful girl who is obviously spoilt and used to getting her own way. The writer certainly went to town on this character as the audience are left in no doubt about her nature and there is no let up for Catherine as she schemes her way through to the dreaded end. We see thoughts flitting into her mind as she flies by the seat of her pants as the lies build.

Dr Joseph Cardin played by Dave Oliver. Tries to be the calming one and voice of reason but eventually has his own demons to deal with and becomes a casualty in the web of lies, working well with Abbie and Rebecca. Mrs Amelia Tilford played by June Grice the person who has spoilt Mary and believes her when she manipulates her. June’s entrance at the end when she has been waiting outside the house for hours to try and apologise, it comes far too late in events and she is devastated at what she has caused. We see the broken woman and another casualty in the lies -  well played.

Mrs Lily Mortar “I never missed a line in my life" played by Jennifer Lee as the faded actress and living her life as if she is on stage (all the time), brought the humour and lightness to this play. She had some great one-liners and she delivered.

The friends and work colleagues caught up in all this were Martha Dobie played by Rebecca Carney and Karen Wright by Abbie Jones. Martha hiding more than she lets on but the clues are there. Dealing with her own sexuality and feeling shame it is heart wrenching to watch. Rebecca gave a convincing performance of the turmoil Martha was going through down to the last knowing look as she leaves the stage.  Rebecca worked well with Abbie and you could feel a real sense of friendship and they were comfortable with one another. Abbie gave a rounded performance of a woman at a loss as to why someone would do this to her. Juggling her love life and friendship as well as the school. Never over-played and the blows kept coming and at the end numb with grief and gracious to Mrs Tilford. A notable performance.

This play had me and my partner talking at the end for quite a while about backstories and how the characters interact. So surely that’s what drama is about. Taking the essence of a true story and weaving another story is true story telling at its best. Thank you, Bolton Little Theatre, for the invite and hospitality from my guest Matthew and I

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5

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