Rose Trelawny, the effervescent rising star of Sadler’s Wells, faces an agonizing decision: should she give up the carefree world of the theatre in order to please the Establishment family of Arthur Gower, with whom she has fallen hopelessly in love? Or should she forsake her beloved to pursue the glittering theatrical career that beckons? Read more …
Heart rules head. With theatreland in mourning, Rose prepares for a respectable new life in Cavendish Square – as before the wedding, she is to spend a period ‘on probation’ at the Gowers’ home, under the watchful eyes of Arthur’s grandfather, the choleric Sir William Gower Q.C., and his prim great-aunt.
But the stifling, regimented routine at Cavendish Square requires Rose to play a part to which she is ill-suited. And every new rule and regulation makes her urge to rebel grow stronger. Until a surprise nocturnal visit from some of Rose’s old theatrical chums brings matters to an explosive head!
Pinero’s affectionate, hilarious memoir of the theatrical world of his youth in the 1860s – when melodrama was giving way to a new kind of theatre – is the only major work by this great comic playwright never before staged at PFT. What better choice could there be for an Anniversary celebration?
The beauty of this company is the total commitment shown down to the smallest bit part - no more so than Darren Machin (manservant then stage manager) and Kate Quinnell (maid then aristocratic wife), and the eccentricity of Chris Vincent as Augustus.
The overall effect is one of terrible tedium and shapelessess; and although it’s possible to imagine a production of this play that would seize hold of Pinero’s ideas, and rework them in ways that might mean something to a modern audience, this disappointing effort certainly isn’t it.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry from Wednesday June 1, 2011, until Saturday October 15, 2011. More info: www.pitlochry.org.uk
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