THEATRE REVIEWS

Imagine two of the greatest protagonists of equal rights meeting by chance in Lambeth, London in the 1700s and you have the essence of this play. William Blake, the poet, lives in London with his wife Catherine when, due to disturbances in the streets, a visitor from America remembers their address and drops in. He find the Blakes in their garden in a state of undress and a conversation ensues. This then is the basis of this intuitive play by Jack Shepherd.

Luke Shaw plays William Blake and Lisa Bealby Catherine his wife who we see sitting in a tree when there is a knock at the door. The visitor is Thomas Paine, played by Jack Shepherd, recently returned from America via France, and seeking refuge from the mobs roaming the streets pursued by the law enforcers. This initiates deep intellectual conversations into the rights of people, still relevant today, with very little change having taken place, with the maxim if change can be slow it will be. We get beautiful performances from these actors who have a feel for their characters and the time in which the play is set. Neil Sheppeck directs with a feel for the situations and time.

The administration at this theatre has not improved and falls below par. The lift was was not working fifteen minutes before the performance leaving people with disabilities standing waiting as no chairs were provided adjacent to the lift doors, and toilets at theatre level were left locked during the performance.

Despite the difficulties the audience sat in rapped silence and drunk in the messages in the play and savoured the eccentricities of the time brought to life in this play, showing how things never seem to change. © BA

“In Lambeth” is at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 8th March to the 13th of March, 2010. Box Office Telephone: 01723 370541. Ticket prices: Adults £9 - Children £19.50. The lift should be working at least 15 minutes before the curtain rises.