Click here!

Arts:Blog

Theatre Review: Before the Party ***

Joy Watters reviews a disappointing production in Pitlochry's current season.

The latest addition to the repertoire at the theatre in the hills is a puzzling piece which lacks a cohesive identity and fails to exploit the talents of the cast which has been excelling itself in the season to date.

Closer examination of the origins of the play goes some way to explaining the mist which envelops its themes. Rodney Ackland’s 1949 work is based on a Somerset Maugham short story from the 20s and radically overhauls the original, adding extra characters, an after the party sequence, setting it two decades later and changing the colonial backdrop.

The spotlight is put on an upper middle class family living in post-war Surrey. Recently-widowed daughter Laura returns from the colonies with a new man in tow while the family prepares to go to a party. The cause of the husband’s death turns into an ever-changing whodunit.

At times it almost segues into a proto-sitcom but fails to fully satirise the behaviour of the family in which lie rich pickings. There is a lack of clear directorial vision in Gemma Fairley’s production. That is not to say that the work does not have its moments but there is a feeling of fragmentation throughout.

Kirsty McDuff as Laura struggles to capture the elements of the role, particularly in the concluding scenes when she comes clean about herself. The family oozing with prejudice and snobbery continues to keep up appearances.

There is an outstanding performance from Fiona Wood as youngest sister Susan, who is perfect as a child and understandably baffled by the behaviour of her elders.

Runs in repertoire until 11 October.

Tags: theatre

Comments: 0 (Add)

To post a comment, you need to sign in or register. Forgotten password? Click here.

Find a show


Search the site


Find us on …

Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFind us on YouTube