When We Are Married

First performed in 1938, J.B. Priestley’s classic comedy has certainly stood the test of time and remains a worthy addition to any theatre programme of events. Set about 110 years ago one September evening at the home of Alderman Helliwell, a joint 25th wedding anniversary celebration is to take place for three couples, all friends, who all married on the same day at the same chapel. When they discover that they are not legally married, each couple initially reacts with proper Edwardian horror. But soon all three couples find themselves re-evaluating their marriages.

 Much of the action revolved around the three couples; ‘Alderman Joseph Helliwell’ & ‘Maria Helliwell’ (Chris Hall & Melanie Brown), ‘Councillor Albert Parker’ & ‘Annie Parker’ (Tam Weir & Vicky Moloney) and ‘Herbert Soppitt ‘and ‘Clara Soppitt’ (Guy Radforth and Janet Miller-Weir). All were played with great confidence and as each realised that they were not actually legally married, cracks opened in their relationships with realistic conviction. Whilst ‘Annie Parker’ and ‘Herbert Soppitt’ had previously been the underdog in their respective relationships, the news of their changed circumstances gave them a new found strength of character and was well played with amusing results.

 The devastating news was broken to the gentlemen by the local organist ‘Gerald Forbes’, played with stature by Matthew Jeffrey announcing the dramatic news with a measured delivery. He was to have been dismissed until a sudden change of heart by Alderman Helliwell, hoping the news could be kept confidential. Consequently his secret relationship with the Alderman’s niece ‘Nancy Holmes’ also well played by Alisha James, blossomed.

 However all was overheard by ‘Mrs Northrop’ the lazy house keeper, played with great comic style by Liz Whitehouse, hoping to use the situation to her own advantage. Along with ‘Mrs Northrop’, ‘Ruby Birtle’ (Chloe Halsall) the willing house-maid, popped in and out of the sitting-room giving the character a great personality, endearingly dippy.

 When perhaps it could not get worse for the fated couples, the reporter ‘Fred Dyson’ (Scott Drew) and photographer ‘Henry Ormonroyd’  (Ian Thompson) from the Yorkshire Argus arrive to record the happy event.  Drew in his very first stage appearance gave an accomplished performance and Thompson gave a very convincing performance as the alcohol soaked photographer. Further good support was provided by Graeme Sinclair as the ‘Rev. Clement Mercer’ and by Sheila Hampton, who as the local barmaid ‘Lotty Grady’, (an old flame of ‘Alderman Helliwell’), calls by with some embarrassment to those gathered. Questions are asked, but of course eventually it all ends on a happy note.

 The costumes were first class and the scenery, as always at the Norbury, provided an authentic setting, whilst both sound and lighting added atmosphere. This was a first class production and entertaining evening.

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