THEATRE REVIEWS

This play was a delight to watch. Very seldom do you get something that the director, with a little help from the author, gets right, to the benefit of all those present. The director in this case was Laurie Sansom and the author was Charlotte Brontë, with a little help from Lisa Evans who adapted her words for the stage. In this play we had something that once went by the name of music and movement, but here showed itself as movement direction by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett, though a better name would have been choreography to music by Thomas Newman. This choreography would have put many a ballet company to shame. The set was how to use a floor, it moved seamlessly as it became part of the story — Philip Witcomb did a first rate job.

The well tried story of Charlotte's fantasies about her time spent as a governess in Belgium was told to the audience in perfect diction so that everyone heard all the words, as it should be, not mumbles and grunts as we have come to expect. This too was a delight to witness. Now to the players: we have a superb piece of acting from Georgina Lamb as Lucy Snow, a thinly disguised Charlotte. Three very troublesome pupils Ginevra, Blanche and Polly, played by Saskia Butler, Elizabeth Hill and Sarah Manton. Dr John, Charlotte's problem, played by Mark Healy, Paul Emmanual, Charlotte's other problem, was played by Stephan Ventura and Madam Beck, the school principle was played by Rachel Atkins. This team gave the audience the performances which matched the rest of the play's expectations.

A great evening at the theatre. Go, or miss a treat. © BA

“Villette” is in repertory at the Round in Scarborough from the 20th October to the 12th of November, 2005 and then continues touring. This is a No Smoking theatre.