The Man Who Came To Dinner

The setting for this play is Mesalia, Ohio December 1938 and a visitor to the home of the Stanley family falls on the ice and his injuries confine him to a wheelchair. The acerbic Sheridon Whiteside then turns the Stanley home into his own personal office, receiving a series of eccentric visitors, whilst trying to thwart his secretary from leaving with newspaperman Bert. Mr & Mrs. Stanley, at their wits' end,  ask Whiteside to leave but as he does so, you hear a yell – he’s had another fall!

TTC’s sets are always well constructed with attention to detail and this was no exception, with different flooring for hallway and kitchen and good set dressing. Lighting was cleverly used between scenes, which made it all flow beautifully. Costumes were mostly authentic to the period.

This play will not work unless the actor playing Sheridon Whiteside is convincing and James Klech brought an imperiousness and curt impatience to the role, spending much of his time in a (modern?) wheelchair. Quite made me dizzy with his perambulations round the sofa! The long-suffering personal secretary, Maggie, was played brilliantly by Bridget Collins, who held her own against her imperious employer. Miss Preen, Emmie Rhodes, Whiteside’s much maligned personal nurse was a treat to watch, as was Helen Cheales in her role of Mr. Stanley’s eccentric sister Harriet. Peter Emanuel and Amelia Zimmatore as Mr. and Mrs. Stanley were played to perfection and Natalie Eacersall had all the right moves as alluring actress Lorraine Sheldon. I was also impressed with all other supporting cast members, too many to name individually.

Director Helen Thorpe assembled a very talented cast who were able to take on multiple roles and make each one individual. This was a well-performed, well-staged production and great entertainment.   

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.