THEATRE REVIEWS

The Shell Seekers is a play based on the international bestseller by Rosamunde Pilcher, and this new play is written by Terence Brady and Charlotte Bingham. The painting "The Shell Seekers" is displayed on the opening curtain to remind us where the play has evolved from. Each scene is depicted with a large framed painting as a backdrop. In fact, the whole play reflects a piece of art as the stage is framed with a picture mount, and the beautifully painted backdrops facilitate the romantic ambience of the play. Credit due to designer Simon Higlett.

The leading role of Penelope by Rosemary Leach was very heart-warming. Initially portrayed as an elderly woman in convalescence, whose children think they know what is best for her welfare and see her possessions purely in pound signs. As the play progresses she reveals her youthful caring side and becomes nostalgic about her past love. Specific lighting was cleverly used to differentiate the separate eras of time, devised by Jack Thompson.

The large cast depicted some of the major differences in human nature, featuring the caring romantics and the heartless money grabbers, the latter being her son Noel played by Mark Elstob and daughter Nancy played by Marilyn Cutts. The selfish inheritance seekers bring a darkness to the play although humour is used, in the right places to also highlight the delights of human kindness. Many emotions are visited during the play. A very poignant and thought provoking episode occurs towards the end of the play which was not overly sentimental, but brought a tear to the eye. A very satisfying end to the play leaves one feeling rather weepy but contented. © SG

“The Shell Seekers” is in Sheffield on the 20th to the 25th September, 2004 and then continues a nationwide tour.