The Woman in White

THE WOMAN IN WHITE by Wilkie Collins and adapted by Constance Cox is set in the Victorian era when the term ‘idiot’ meant something different to how it is used in today’s world.  Then to be an idiot was not merely a taunt but a word with real consequences.  To be labelled an idiot meant the individual was the very bottom of society’s mental hierarchy.   Wilkie Collins used this to great effect with the central character, Anne Catherick who is ‘The Woman in White’.

The set was exquisite and a faithfull representation of a Victoria drawng room in a stately home.  It was lavishly furnished and the props were of the highest quality including a large book of Parish records (which reminded me of our ancient family bible), foot warmer, companion set by the fire and the wheelchair.

The costumes were very good and in keeping with the period and their characters. The colours were complementary and the etheral looking ‘Woman in White’ was well portrayed.   Mrs Vesey’s costume was very smart as was Louis’s and Count Fosco was very dapper.  Mr Fairlie had a decent selection of ‘smoking’ jackets/dressing gowns.  My only slight disappointment was the modern and not very smart shoes of a couple of the men.   Helen Lewis cut a very fine figure in her dramatic black dress with petticoats!  There was good attention to detail with regard to hair, the use of wigs and make up.  

This was an engaging production from start to finish.   The very accomplished cast clearly relished their roles in this atmospheric melodrama with a hint of horror that begins when Walter Hartright takes up his post as tutor in a country estate. He is troubled by an encounter with the woman in white.  Who is she?    There then follows deception, greed, insanity and murder.    Sir Percival Glyde plots the demise of his wife to inherit her fortune.  Giles Webb and Bill Hansell were suitably deceitful as the scheming villains with Helen Lewis giving a forceful performance as the no nonsense solicitor taking charge of the situation. Sarah Lee as the very capable no-nonsense housekeeper, Mrs Vesey, had a strong presence .   The twists and turns of this convoluted plot were very effectlvely handled by the cast under the firm direction of Gill Richardson.    This was another first class production from HAG.

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