REVIEWS REVIEWS
J.B. Priestley's “Time and the Conways” shows us a snapshot of a wealthy
British family at two very different points in time. We first encounter
them just after the end of the Great War, and then again on the eve of the
Second World War. The Conways are a large and rowdy family without a
patriarch, who drowned before the war. It is therefore headed by a very
strong matriarch in the form of Mrs Conway, played with great gusto by
Penelope Keith. She portrays Mrs Conway to great effect as a cross between
her characters from “The Good Life” and “To the Manor Born” and Aunt Augusta from “The Importance of Being Earnest”.
We first meet the daughters at Kay’s 21st birthday party, played by Hannah
Young, in 1919. The entire family is gradually introduced to us, and the
script goes to great lengths to show to us the diverse hopes and
aspirations of each family member. Kay dreams of becoming a great author,
Madge (Naomi Benson) is plain and drab but well educated and passionate
about socialism. Hazel (Kirsten Parker) is the beauty of the family, but is
vain and merely wants to marry into money. The last daughter is Carol,
headstrong, enthusiastic and intent on having fun. The two sons are polar
opposites. Alan (Jamie Chapman) is dull and grey and has no ambition,
whilst the dashing Robin has an eye for the ladies and dreams of becoming a
great entrepreneur.
The aim of the first act is to present these people to us. It is well
acted and the atmosphere is spot on; they are having fun, thrilled to be
reunited, and the dark shadow of war has passed. The air bristles with
optimism and excitement. Each line of witty dialogue is delivered to great
effect, but it does nevertheless drag a little on a couple of overly long, worthy speeches.
The second act, after the interval, is set about twenty years later, on the
eve of the Second World War. The family members once again congregate at
the family home and we learn what cards fate has dealt them in the
intervening years. We learn the significance of comments, gestures and
conversations that took place in the first act. It transpires that
throw-away remarks have altered the course of each life. Hannah Young
really shines through in the second act. Her costume (Ronnie Dorsey was
costume supervisor), poise and air of confidence and world-weariness make
the age leap thoroughly believable. It is however Penelope Keith who
dominates the set whenever she is present. The second act is hilarious and
bristles along at a terrific pace as the cutting remarks fall thick and
fast, as each character looks to blame others for their own unfortunate
choices. Ultimately we return to the parlour of 1919 and the suggestion
that we are all masters of our own fate, can the fate and our future paths
be changed?
The set for this is excellent. It is well structured with furniture, doors
and windows strategically placed and with good attention to detail.
Director Richard Baron’s choreography succeeds in using the space to its
full advantage, ensuring that the stage does not look overcrowded, even
when the entire cast are on stage together. Each member of the ensemble
cast in “Time and the Conways” make the most of their roles and the second
act is simply superb. The ending is certainly thought provoking. Some of
my actions will be pivotal in defining the shape of my future, but at the
time how can I tell which they are? © MW
“Time and the Conways” is in Richmond on the 19th of January until the 24th of January, 2004 then touring.
