THEATRE REVIEWS

A nightingale has many notes and that is what this play is about. Set in war torn Britain this family in Newcastle try to come to terms with the rigours of war. C P Taylor, the writer, draws on his memory of times past. He makes a play from how his family and others dealt with the restrictions imposed by war, and how his family came to grips with being split up and strangers thrust upon their close knit communities.

Here we have George (Simeon Truby), otherwise known as the Coalman, an avid piano player and singer, trying to do his part in the war effort as he sees it, whilst trying to live in harmony with his religious wife Peggy (Katherine Dow Blyton). The whole thing is held together by daughter Helen (Laura Norton) with her Newcastle voice over and resigned acceptance to what has to be will be. Around them are a grandfather Andie (Ged McKeena), not fitting too well with anyone around him, but coming up with a few home truths. The younger generation are mixed with these in the form of daughter Joyce ( Anna Doolan), feeling her way in life, and two soldiers Norman (Jack Bennett) and Eric (Michael Imerson) trying to deal with their own problems of growing up and being far from home. You can do almost anything with the plot and the writer does. The format of the play is a family gathered round a piano for a musical evening as in times past, but coping with unusual times of stress.

Malcolm Newton directs the music which runs through this play to reflect the time and atmosphere, which works well with direction by Sarah Punshon, although she struggles with a long play that needed shortening. The audience sit patiently and watch a play full of entertainment, and depending on their age they either learn from it or regain memories of times past. © BA

“And a Nightingale Sang” is at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 24th February to the 6th of March, 2010. Box Office Telephone: 01723 370541. Ticket prices: Adults £9 - Children £19.50 Students £6. The lift should be working at least 15 minutes before the curtain rises.