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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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It's all a bit of a mysteryVeronica's Room
Sutton Arts Theatre, Sutton Coldfield **** THIS is an Ira Levin classic drama that
compels the attention – but even if you give it your all, you may well
leave the theatre wondering who's who, who's what and who did what. It's that sort of evening. A young couple get into conversation with an
older couple in a restaurant and are persuaded to accompany them to
their home – and then to see the room that they say had been their
daughter Veronica's. So far, so straightforward. Who says? It's not
like that at all. Gradually, it becomes apparent that the young people
have strayed into a world where nothing is as it should be or what it
seemed to be. It was 1973 when it all started, but it now seems to be
1935. All that appears to be clear is that Veronica is dead – and that
the older couple seem to have been her parents and that they claim that
the girl could be Veronica's double. It's not edge-of-your-seat time, but it's
certainly down to the audience to concentrate, just to try to keep up
with the possibilities.
Suzy Donnelly offers a sterling performance in
Ian Cornock's impressive production, moving from being the happy young
visitor to the screaming, shrill, terrified victim, struggling to retain
her grip on reality after she has found herself locked alone in
Veronica's room. Richard Ham, as the young man, successfully
persuades us to look at him in a different light as the action
progresses. Robert Hicks and Alison Daly are the increasingly
alarming hosts, creating a supercharged atmosphere of high-decibel
danger. This is a four-strong company that presents its tangled message with admirable authority. It is hard to let your attention wander – but if it does, bring it rapidly to heel: there always seems to be something else around the corner. Either in 1935 or 1973. To 05-03-11
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