A pleasant uncluttered stage set, designed by Lez Brotherton, met the audience’s eyes as they walked into the auditorium and took their seats. They were eavesdropping on the conservatory of St. Dominic’s parsonage, northeast London. The year is 1894 and the month October.

The Reverend James Morrell thought all was well with his life, he had a beautiful intelligent wife and was committed to his work of sermonising those who wanted to listen. What he did not realise is that nothing is what it seems. This play by George Bernard Shaw has pace from the moment the characters walk onto the stage. The words the characters use are elegant, never wasted and make the audience concentrate to enjoy themselves without realising it. This is the art of playwriting used to perfection.

Matthew Francis directs this production of Candida superbly and should be proud of his work. The acting is faultless with each actor giving a fine performance. Even the women's clothes made by Alison Kirkpatrick capture the time with elegance. This attention to detail is what makes this play so enjoyable to watch.

The conservatory of the parsonage is used as an office by Miss Proserpine Garnett, played with fire and feeling by Jackie Morrison, a modern woman devoted to the secretarial as well as ancillery needs of her employer. The well named Reverend Morrell is played with complete conviction by Michael Hawley, who does not notice his secretary’s complete infatuation or the devotion about him. His young curate the Reverend Alexanda Mill, played quietly by Paul Moody, is earnest in his endeavours to please at the expense of others about him. However the arrival of a young poet sets the catalyst for explosive encounters and gives Edward Hughes the chance to play Eugene Marchbanks with all arms and legs going. Candida, the Reverend Morell’s wife, is performed with sensitive feeling and thought by Rebecca Egan. Without realising it the parson's wife shakes the whole establishment to its roots and makes everyone think, including herself. Mr Burgess, Candida’s father, a self made man, uses the actor Jim Dunk’s north London accent with gusto as he thinks of little else beyond making money and meeting the right people to perpetuate that interest.

This assembly of characters furnished with words is what gives this play the compulsion to hold the audience’s attention, whilst they are transported for an evening of classic entertainment. Do not miss this production of Candida. © BA

“Candida” is in repertory until the 16th of September, 2000.