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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Very Happy landings Flare Path Highbury Theatre Centre **** TERENCE Rattigan was once said to be the
highest paid screenwriter in the world. With an Oxford education, and as
a boy at Sandroyd School in Surrey in the 1920s, it now seems ironic
that the entrance path to his first school required young students to
write a story that would form the basis of their acceptance. Rattigan's work is clearly of its time and Middle
class and his early style forms a part of the collective blueprint of
many of the `Stay at Home ‘ British based war films. Flare Path, written in 1942, is no exception, and
although it eventually became the screenplay for the feature film The
Way to the Stars, filmed in 1945, practically nothing remained from
this quite complex drama of wartime married life set around a Royal Air
Force station.
The action takes place in the reception area of The Falcon Hotel when the married couples of a Wellington Bomber crew gather to spend time together. The jovial atmosphere is cut short when an emergency takes the men folk away on a dangerous and secret bombing mission. The relationship dynamic is created by the
arrival of a British film star from Hollywood, Peter Kyle who has been
having an affair with one of the Pilots wives. Add to this mix a Polish
pilot and his new British wife and an assortment of `stiff upper lippers'
and Rattigan has a collected a unique mix of personalities to explore a
range of sensitive emotional issues that were topical to a wartime
audience. At the core of the story is the transformation of
Patricia the actress wife of Pilot Teddy Graham who faces the choice of
her affair and career or remaining the wife of her troubled Pilot
husband.
Aimee Hall takes on the role and with Jack Hobbis
as her husband the two of them formed a detailed portrait of a young
couple facing separation and their very different emotional problems.
In contrast is Peter Kyle, a brisk and superficial character,
played by Richard Cogzell, who is just a little too polite at times to
be thoroughly convincing as a desperate man in love. Next is the Polish Pilot, Count Skriczevinsky,
played by James Ross struggling with his English and his Cockney wife
Doris played by Susan Lynch - an unlikely pairing but brought to
life beautifully. If falls to rear gunner Dusty played by Dave Douglas,
to remind everyone at what a great guy his leader Teddy is while his
wife, Maudie played by Julie Waddell , seemed more concerned about her
travel arrangements than the possible loss of her husband. The cast is completed by Hayley Leavers as Elsie
the young waitress, and Sandra Haynes as the landlady both with nice
supporting roles. Finally the Squadron leader was played by Rob
Alexander who cut a fine authentic figure in his uniform and the only
one who's natural educated diction didn't feel too forced on the night. The Director Ian Appleby has done a good job
piloting this war time tale and has added to the wider renewed
appreciation of Rattigan's work in recent years. The best moments come
for everyone in a series of duologues that feature throughout the play.
It's here where everyone is given the chance to deliver some very
credible performances. Praise also must go to the production team who
built a very convincing Wartime setting for the story to unfold around
and although a few planes left before the dialogue, the play overall
taxied nicely to a safe departure. To 23-03-13 Jeff Grant |
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