The Lady in the Van

The Lady in the Van tells the story of Mary Shepherd and is based on Alan Bennett's own experiences.  The play follows his interactions with Miss Shepherd, a woman who "temporarily" parks her camper van on his front lawn and ends up staying for over 15 years.  This wonderfully written piece captures moments of Bennett’s life almost ‘in passing’ whilst explaining the more intimate details of Miss Shepherd’s ‘ablutions’ quite graphically.  The play is both humorous and poignant.  It is completely hilarious in parts, but deeply moving in others and the Thespians did a wonderful job of capturing all of these so perfectly.

The play benefits from having not one but two Alans and both were captivating.  Joshua Sanders played Alan the writer largely deskbound and often being the conscience to the other Alan played by Richard Watson.  Watson interacted with Miss Shepherd and then returns to the desk to ‘talk to himself’.  This wonderful premise for the play was very well created by the two actors who had gone to some length to look very similar and wardrobe had done a great job in perfectly replicating two costumes.  The way they engaged with each other was excellent giving the audience a real insight into the thoughts, worries and pre-occupations of the man behind the story.

Huge plaudits to Lynne Whitaker as Miss Shepherd, who resisted the temptation to present her character as a caricature, but rather showed the thoughtful and determined side of a woman for whom life had taken a different path and who fought to make the best of it.  As frustrating as it must have been to have her living on your drive if Miss Shepherd was anything like Whitaker’s portrayal it would have been wasted effort on behalf of Bennett to try and move her.  A brilliant performance in a very challenging role.

The neighbours of Bennett, Rufus and Pauline, were delightfully played by Michael Sutton and Katie Hallam – they were a fabulous couple of the seventies/eighties eras, with great mannerisms and perfectly presented.  Super timing in their line delivery and wonderful expressions – again wardrobe did a great job.

The play explores the themes of loneliness, age, and the complexities of human connection not just with Miss Shepherd, but also within Bennett’s own family.   References to ‘Mam’ (Alan Bennetts’ own mother) litter the play and the timeline it covers.  Melanie Murray confidently played ‘Mam’ with wonderful expression and poise.  Jenny Taylor was a most persistent Social Worker who never gave up in her role as advocate for Miss Shepherd.   Mark McKever was a nasty piece of work as the blackmailing Underwood.  Alex Watkins and Rebecca Ford demonstrated their adaptability by transitioning into the various other small roles within the play and confidently helped and supported to move the story on.

The set, including a van (which changed colour during the interval), had been expertly made by the Narnia Business Team, lead  by Andrew  Rishworth, for whom it seems no Directors request is too challenging.  The wonderful props fitted perfectly with the period (well done Angela Payne) and Maureen Speight (Wardrobe Manager) had surpassed herself (I think I could smell Miss Shepherds’ coat from the front row it was so life-like).

A really wonderful evening of entertainment – huge congratulations to everyone involved.

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