OUR VERDICT
By qualifying this 4-star rating by saying it is ‘for an am-dram’ production, I mean no disrespect. Much of this play is of a high enough quality for a West End run, most notably the court scenes and the astonishingly good acting of David Wain as O’Connor and Mia Skytte-Jensen as the protagonist, Alma Rattenbury.
However, every now and again it reverted to school play territory with some muffled dialogue and less-subtle acting, and an audience which occasionally seemed to forget that these talented actors were giving up their Sunday afternoon to entertain us (mobile phones going off, people talking).
Sir Terence Rattigan’s final play is based on the true story of Alma Rattenbury who in 1935 stood trial with her 18-year old lover for the murder of her older husband. Her fall from grace is mirrored in the fictional storyline of the formidable forewoman of the jury, Edith Davenport, played perfectly by Jane Marcus, whose marriage and relationship with her son is in free-fall.
Originally written as a radio play, the stage adaptation is rarely performed. As Director, Fiona Smith, writes ‘it is non-linear in both time and place, with a state-of-flux style and pace that combine to make it quite a staging challenge’.
She has, in fact, succeeded in creating a slick production, ably assisted by a top-class set, designed by Patrick Troughton, and a wardrobe, courtesy of Zoe Harvey-Lee, which are worthy of a professional stage.
The action jumps from woman to woman, telling of the events in their lives which have led them both to the courthouse. Although they are very different in character, the themes of love, betrayal, guilt and marital incompatibility touch them both.
Cath Messum
The subplots were humorous – I enjoyed Mr Davenport’s letter to his wife requesting that she consent to his adulterous affairs so long as he doesn’t make any demands of her in the bedroom. Also, Dionne King gives an excellently haughty portrayal of Edith’s sister, placing a bet on the outcome of the trial based on Edith’s insider knowledge. The relationship between the three barristers was also very well observed and acted.
However, some of the plots were bizarre; not least Edith’s son catching an unmentionable disease which did not seem to further the plot in any way. The relationship between Alma and George Wood, her co-accused, was also not entirely convincing, nor was his sudden transformation from a non-drinking loner looking for work to a brutal murderer, but that is the fault of the writing.
The trial scenes were excellent and Daniel Wain needs another mention for his exceptional portrayal of Alma’s defence barrister. I absolutely know who I will call should I find myself on the wrong side of the law. Surely we will see Daniel in his own courtroom TV drama in the near future?
Although we are not led to expect any surprises from the final verdict of the trial, the dénouement was poignant and sensitively acted.
It is just a shame that watching this on International Women’s Day, the message is that two strong women can have their lives ruined at the hands of the men in their lives. This is another very good production from The Teddington Theatre Club and is well worth a visit.
- Venue: Hampton Hill Theatre
- Dates: 7-13 March (book here)
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