This Happy Breed

This was my second visit to the Playhouse in Northampton, and I have to say that I am totally in love with the venue - I love the charm, the intimacy, and the thought that has gone into the venue. Just to add to that - it produces amazing theatre too!

"This Happy Breed covers 20 years in the life of Frank and Ethel Gibbons and their 'Breed', from the end of WWI to the summer of Neville Chamberlain's 'Peace in our Time, a forewarning of WWII. Despite the world about them, This Happy Breed is a family drama with all its trials and tribulations of a suburban lower middle-class family now living in Clapham Common, London, and new beginnings. Over the years they become involved in the world around them; the General Strike (1926), King Edward VIII abdication (1936), but in essence it is about the Gibbons' family story, and their unity, that carries them through good times and bad." (A word from Rob, the director)

At first, I struggled to understand the meaning of This Happy Breed. I mean; yes... I got what was happening, but I didn't understand the point of it. But then the penny dropped - My husband and I enjoy all things 50's, something with some history to it, and we quite often comment that "I bet that tree has some tales to tell" or "I wonder how many people have walked through here before us". And that was exactly the point of this piece. It was a normal family, going through normal life, but leaving their mark on the world. Their voices will echo through the walls of the house they loved for 20 years; their memories will live on forever. Rob Kendall and the ever talented cast of the Playhouse, captured this sympathetically, but beautifully.

I somehow felt, with the open set and the sheer charm of the theatre, that I had travelled through some sort of time portal and landed back in the 1920's. I loved that feeling and it seemed the rest of the audience did too, as we all seemed to straighten our backs and talk with a stiffer accent. The creative team had managed to make the play into an immersive experience, which I'm not sure was the intent, but it was effective anyway.

Graham Breeze and Nicola Bunting as Frank and Ethel Gibbons were the main characters of the play, and by gosh did they have a mountain of lines to learn! However, they both rose to the challenge effortlessly and made for a realistic couple of the time. I particularly liked the way they both quietly aged throughout the performance which was so well done that some people may not have even noticed. Their children were played by Ben Caldicott (Reg) Helena Enright-King (Vi) and Joanna Wickham (Queenie). All three were talented actors, and the professional training they had obviously worked hard on shone through. All three were worthy of the roles they played and deserved to be on stage. Hopefully we'll see them on stage in Northampton again soon.

Elizabeth Allan as Mrs Flint did a sterling job of portraying a cantankerous grandmother, although she clearly had best interests at heart, she was wonderful at sending cutting comments to her sister, Sylvia. Gena McCrystal was brilliant in the role of Sylvia. I love her characterisations and the normalcy of the people she plays. She reminds me of so many ladies I have come across in my own community and leaves me with a warm feeling inside. I'll never tire of seeing Gena on stage.

Ben Knight played Frank's forces chum Bob Mitchell, and i enjoyed his role very much. I particularly liked his drunken acting and his fear of "her indoors". Sam Leadbitter was played by Ben Clark, and he played the part well. Although what Sam stood up for wasn't always the right thing, he always had his best friend's (Reg) back. Gavin Jones played Billy Mitchell (Bob's Son) and was always destined to part of the Gibbons' family. I enjoyed seeing Gavin move up the ranks through the Navy and hearing of his adventures abroad. 

Finally, we had Paige Jordan as Phyllis Blake and Sue Howes as Edie. Both ladies played their parts well proving that even the smaller parts are worth the effort and integral to the production.

As I said previously, the open set was spot on for the period. All the props and furniture were of the right time and the costumes were perfect. The lighting was sympathetic to the piece and all the sound effects and radio broadcasts were good. 

The last time I came to the Playhouse, I commented that I really liked the fact that the programme doubles up as your ticket and is at no extra charge. This was the case again with This Happy Breed and I am envious of whoever does their artwork because it is always so good! The programme for This Happy Breed will be going into the NODA Programme competition, as will the poster. Well done.

We had a lovely evening at The Playhouse again and I send my heartfelt congratulations to Rob, the director, the entire cast, and crew for a stella performance.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.