When we are Married

As we have come to expect from this talented club the curtains opened to reveal once again a stunning period set receiving a well-deserved round of applause from the capacity house.

The action took place in the drawing-room of Alderman Helliwell’s home in the North of England in the early 1900’s. 

Three couples had gathered to celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversaries, having all been married on the same day, at the same chapel by the same parson – or had they?

As usual Priestley always enjoyed taking the rise of what he considered to be the smugness and hypocrisy of the Edwardian middle class and this piece was no exception. 

Gerald, the chapel organist, arrived ostensibly to collect his cards having been considered unsuitable because of his flirtatious behaviour, and possibly also because he was from “down South! He had great delight in revealing to Nancy, the Alderman’s niece, and his latest paramour, that the couples were not in fact legally married as the officiating parson was not actually authorised to perform the ceremony at the time.

This gem of information was “overheard” by the acerbic housekeeper who had been lurking behind the closed doors and who did not hesitate to impart the information around the local hostelry. Of course, when the news was relayed to the couples concerned the path was open for much hilarity and pandemonium!

There was great consternation as to what the neighbours would say when they found out that these local dignitaries and “big wigs” of the chapel had been living in sin for 25 years and the couples found themselves somewhat reevaluating their marriages, and their true feelings began to be  exposed.

The plot thickened when Lottie, a woman with dyed hair, having heard the gossip, hot footed it from the pub in the hope that the “gentleman”, with whom she had enjoyed many a tryst  in Blackpool and who had professed his undying love for her, was now free to make her an “honest” woman!

All three couples played their parts to the proverbial “T”, and it was interesting to see the change of dynamics between them when they realised the possible implications of their unexpected freedom! 

The worm certainly began to turn and partners were labelled as “dull, dreary and stingy” in reply to “what’s wrong with me?” There was a wonderful scene when Maria Helliwell handed over the keys together with a long list of household responsibilities to Lottie when the Alderman was uncovered as the “ Blackpool betrayer”, and her expression was simply one of pure horror, this simply did not fit with her idea of being “the lady of the house”! 

Of the three men Herbert showed a more sympathetic character, he seemed to have a soft spot for Annie and was certainly less pompous. The three women were very disparaging of the lower classes, they all felt taken for granted by their partners but were horrified that their safe respectable world could suddenly come crashing down and turn them into figures of ridicule in the community! 

 

Adding to the storyline, were Henry Ormonroyd and Fred Dyson, photographer, and reporter from the Yorkshire Argus respectively, come to report on the Silver Wedding celebrations, which of course caused more panic and confusion lest the “news” got out!

Happily, everything was resolved satisfactorily in the end when Henry revealed that the marriages were all totally legal after all as being a chapel wedding a Registrar had been present at the time! 

The status quo was restored, and they all faced their shortcomings and made the best of it!

Everyone played their roles with sincerity and commitment, the Northern accents were sustained throughout and did not get in the way of the dialogue as can sometimes happen.

Henry the photographer disintegrated admirably into a rolling drunk and had a delightful scene with Ruby the maid. Fred the reporter doubled as the Reverend Mercer later in the action, and his disguises were interesting. A swathe of fringe under a pork pie hat, which it was felt  from discussion afterwards, would have been removed when entering the house particularly during that era, and a wonderful Amish style beard and spats when playing the Reverend, this performer also did sterling work as the Director.

Nathan and Nancy made an endearing couple and clearly enjoyed immensely getting one over on their “elders and betters”!

The seasoned performer playing Mrs Northropp was simply divine and  just perfect for the role,  her expressions and delivery were spot on. On one exit she almost got a well-deserved “round” , perhaps  if she had been further up stage with the door ajar it  would have happened, hopefully at other performances she did.

Ruby the maid has been touched upon for her scene with Henry, and this was another outstanding performance from start to finish! From her very first entrance and the description of the massive number of courses that had been served for dinner Ruby had the entire audience on her side. With her warm North Country accent, winning smile, and a twinkle her eye she just couldn’t put a foot wrong. She certainly had the measure of Henry the photographer and her poem was an absolute treat! Perfectly played!

All the costumes were for the main well-chosen and right for the period, except perhaps for the morning coats, tails would have been too much for this household, but Herbert’s frock coat was just right.

As mentioned the set was outstanding as usual very well decorated and furnished, all making for another successful, excellently performed and warmly received production from this company – well done!

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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