Relative Values Bolton Little Theatre Until September 18 Tickets: 01204 334400
 |
| Natalie Compton and Stephen Stubbs as Miranda and Don Lucas Picture curtsey of Steve Gill at smileweddings.co.uk |
RELATIVE Values is in many ways its own toughest critic.
There’s a hint of the post modern when the butler, Mr Crestwell - played deftly by Michael Tatman - turns to glance beyond the fourth wall and utters the line: “a comedy of manners quickly becomes obsolete when there are no longer any manners.”
Noel Coward, mate - you don’t know you were born. If you thought English society was on the decline in 1950, try a night out in Stalybridge in 2010.
Anyway, the dialogue, so steeped as it is in manners and class division, can sound a little alien to modern ears - but don’t let that put you off.
The Bolton Little Theatre audience is clearly one of taste, refinement and manners, as this discerning crowd revels in the urbane witticisms that are the stock-in-trade of the genre.
Typically, much of Relative Values’ action is based upon an implausible contrivance involving someone pretending to be someone else, and much hilarity ensues - guffaw, guffaw - and we all learn a nice lesson about social inequality and culture clashes in the process.
The acting is universally superb; the cast of nine command the stage, which is beautifully decorated in the style of a 1950s English manorhouse living room, and there’s not a moment wasted - every glance, every intonation is spot on.
Natalie Crompton, making her BLT debut, nails the offhand insensitivity of her movie star character without losing her warmth or humour, and June Grice is the definition of composure as the unflappable Countess of Marshwood.
In fact, all Relative Values’ characters are so likeable, it’s difficult to know who to cheer for.
Suffice to say it’s a play that’s well worth a look - but don’t forget your manners.
Review by Julian Thorpe
No comments:
Post a Comment