THEATRE REVIEWS

Stephen Joseph theatre pulled out most of the stops for Chris Monks’ first production, Moonlight and Magnolias. When you walked into the foyer you were met by a uniformed commissionaire, but then the welcome stopped for the notice boards displayed a stutter of posters of coming productions, but nothing about what the audience was coming to see. When you turned the corner to the stairs a display then met you.

From then on all was fine, for as soon as Kieran Buckeridge and John Killoran started their interaction as David O. Selznick, film producer and Ben Hecht, screen writer, the pace gained momentum and an exhaustive story was told. Five days was all the time Hecht could give Selznick to rewrite a script written by someone else. A summoned director Victor Fleming, played by Pete Gallagher, then joined them, and all hell was let loose as they set about the task of reconstructing the script. Miss Poppenghul, played by Clare Corbett, tried to meet the needs of the trio and keep the stage clear of debris.

What script were they trying to improve? A film you may have heard of called “Gone with the Wind” starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. This team of a lawyer, newspaperman and chauffeur, before they got into pictures, then pull off a piece of magic which millions of people have gained pleasure from over the years. What actually went on is anyone’s guess, but this play goes into all the areas of theatre and does it brilliantly.

The actors exceeded perfection in their roles as the principals involved and can take full credit for giving the audience an evening of sheer pleasure. The set by Jan Bee Brown showed affluence and no recessional restraint giving the cast just what they wanted to fulfil their roles. Fight Director Kate Waters pulled off one of the best fight scenes that you are likely to see. The speech was clear and stayed in the country it was meant to be, thanks to coach Caroline Hetherington. The lighting by Jason Taylor was just right and the sound by Paul Stear hit the right decibels. Now all we have to mention is the superb script by Ron Hutchinson and the direction by Chris Monks which was spot on.

Now what of the audience? They lapped it up and thought Christmas had come early and did not want the cast to leave the stage when they took their bows. A play worth travelling miles to see and this production could find its way to London. A great evening of theatre. Let us have more. © BA

“Moonlight and Magnolias” is in repertory at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 29th April to the 27th of June, 2009. Box Office Telephone: 01723 370541

Is there an Air Conditioning certificate prominently displayed in your theatre foyer stating the date of manufacture of the appliance and when the system was last inspected and serviced — if not, complain to the theatre management.