The Late Mrs Early

The Late Mrs Early written by Norman Robbins first produced in 1976 still has them laughing in the aisles.

When the curtains open up a detailed set is presented. The home of Mr and Mrs Early. With busy wallpaper, two entrances at the Back, a door Back Left to the hall and arch Back Right to the kitchen with green half tiles at the Back. The colours were muted green and brown throughout. Stage Right is a fireplace with electric fire, various ornaments including candlesticks and brass fire companion set. Stage Right was a settee and Stage Left was a dining table and chairs against the window. The window was large and had down-to-the-floor curtains with pelmet finished off with net curtains (this was also used as an entrance to create a ghostly effect). There were two wooden cabinets at the Back Stage Centre with glass front and one Stage Right both containing various items of crockery. The walls were adorned with a variety of brass plates, a mirror and wooden clock. There was certainly attention to detail with the old-fashioned light switches, pot animals and crockery used. Stage Design and Dressing was Sara Hassell, Tricia Shorten, Eric Jones, Alison Owen, Karl Owen, Colette Rowe and Elaine Gawthorpe. Lighting and Sound played a big part especially the Lighting and this worked well. Sound and Lighting Toni Maloney, Adrian Mottram and Georgia Simpson.

Costume and Make-up all looked in keeping and Mrs Early’s outfit looked great. Costume by Pat Quinlan, Irene Holmes, Angela Simpson and Georgina Simpson.

The cast of eight certainly brought out the laughs under the direction of Tricia Shorten (you probably heard me laughing?!). The stage was used well and some of the comedy played out well with the used of a loose bottom cake tin, so funny. I would have maybe had Susan and Terry a little wet when they came in from the rain (minor detail). The materialisation of Alice through the window was a good reveal.  The casting was spot-on and all characters believable in role.

Robert Goodier as Reuben Rickworth not coming on until the second act has a lot to live up with his description that Alice gives (highly inaccurate, but still!). He is everything but what Alice describes in fact, revealing the truth about what actually went on. Robert put in a solid performance and works well with Margaret Parkinson playing Lucy Rickworth. Lucy has a few bumps with lines but settles down into character and gives the impression of a very lady-like character not to be messed with.

Kay Jameson as Mabel Sutton plays the neighbour no one wants but actually needs. She is always borrowing and just lets herself in the house. The line when she lets slip, she listens at the wall with a stethoscope makes me howl and think at what point did she think it was a good idea to buy one?! Mabel lets the abuse she takes wash over her and she actually saves the day.

Keith Hindley who plays Joe Gittings the neighbour always looking to get in a witty retort. Keith has some great one-liners and delivers them as should be. He has an answer for everything and fed off Carmela and Paul’s lines. Well played - great character.

Alice Early is played by Carmela Horne – OMG! . . .no let-up in the character - it’s her way or the highway and even in death she carries on as the vengeful ghost. Carmela and Paul Jameson playing Sam Early was great casting. Completely under the thumb he does as he is told and rues the day, he married Alice. He thinks all his Sunday’s have come at once when she dies and even buys a second-hand coffin (is there a such a thing?!) - so funny! He then leads his best life with Joe that is until she returns. But what is so clever of the script is we are given a taste of why they married each other and how that has been overlooked over the years because of fear.  After all the comedy and intrigue the end scene was actually very tender (I filled up) - lovely.

Thank you to St Vincent’s for the invite and hospitality from my guest Angela and I, you must be very pleased with this production.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

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