The Deep Blue Sea

Taking place over the course of one day, the play begins with the discovery of Hester in her flat by her neighbours, after Hester has failed in an attempt to take her own life by gassing herself. Some time previously, Hester had left her husband, Sir William Collyer, a respectable High Court judge, for a former RAF pilot, Freddie Page. Their relationship was physical and passionate. Initially unemployed, Freddie eventually takes a post in South America. The aftershocks of her attempted suicide unravel even the remnants of this relationship. By the end of the day, Hester is brought to a hard decision to live, partly through the intercession of another resident of the tenement house, Mr. Miller, an ex-doctor struck off the register for an undisclosed reason. These two outcasts find a curious kinship.

Jayne Lunn, who played Hester, has my admiration.  She was hardly off stage and had huge chunks of dialogue to learn and she came across as very confident and a great stage presence.  Philip and Ann (the neighbours would found her) were well played by Tom Cooper and Katie Johnson and they came across well.  Valerie Tomlinson and Andrew Tomlinson played Mrs Elton, the landlady and Mr. Miller, the ex-doctor, who still had his doctor’s bag and was still treating people.  This husband and wife team were in this production in the 60’s but in different roles.  The role of Freddie’s friend Jackie was played by Richard Millward who gave good support to Freddie, played by Christopher Commander who gave a very strong performance as Hester’s lover.  Sir William Collyer, Hester’s husband was played by Christopher Scott who also had great stage presence every time he appeared.

Costumes looked good and as usual the Sutton Art set was outstanding and even had running water and the set was very well lit.

Many congratulations on a wonderful production. 

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