Breath Of Spring premiered in 1978 but has echoes of certain 1950’s films which deal with a similar theme, in which a group of older, respectable gentlefolk decide to form a criminal gang; examples are ‘The Lavender Hill Mob’ with Alec Guinness and ‘The League of Gentlemen’, starring Jack Hawkins. The difference here is that the ‘gang’ is comprised of older women but led a male ex-army officer, so limiting the effect of women taking on a normally male preserve. However, the idea of older, well-to-do women getting involved in this kind of enterprise would have seemed novel, even in the 1970s.
Breath of Spring is a timepiece, firmly rooted in the 1950s and Altrincham Little Theatre did an excellent job of creating the look of a wealthy London apartment from this period.The play is written very much in the old-style tradition of three acts, each separated by a significant time period in the story but Director Gary Woodhall got round this with the superb idea of inserting a mixed-media slot, which not only gave the impression of a two-act play but actually helped progress the story. It also gave a somewhat dated play a modern feel. Mixed-media is of course extensively used in new writing productions (even with Shakespeare at the Royal Exchange for example) for but the application of it here was a master-stroke and Altrincham Little Theatre should be encouraged to experiment more with this kind of innovation.
The cast worked well as a team. Cherrill Wyche, Barbara Steel, Christine Perry and Janet Reidma all succeeding in bringing over the different foibles and quirks of their respective characters. Arthur Hulse was well cast as their authoritive leader and Georgina Daigleish seemed quite at home as the only young member of the gang. John Jones certainly looked the part of the old-school detective in a raincoat and though he was not quite as aggressive as might have been expected, perhaps this reflects an age when even the police were more deferential to wealthy individuals.
An interesting play, which in both writing style and subject covered reflects a very different time in British society. Altrincham Little Theatre did well in bringing over a different world, both in the physical presentation and pace of the production whilst at the same time not being afraid to add new ideas. A very creditable production.
Reviewer - John Waterhouse
on - 19/1/20
We are rather flattered by this review's attention to props, having spent weeks and months in the run-up to the show making sure there was a realistic looking artificial fur equivalent for every single fur item listed in the play: down to cuffs, trims, a "mink stole" and a "mole". The 1950s fashion for furs is a key plot point in the play, but we would like to reassure the reviewer that our audience, of any age, need not worry about the furs in this show and that no animals were harmed in its making. Although a dog water bowl and a dog bed were present during rehearsals to accommodate key members of the backstage team who were not available for comment on the show nights. The human team in the props department, however, would be happy to answer any queries. Regards, Altrincham Little Theatre.
ReplyDeleteWe are very flattered by the attention this review pays to the props for this show. Our props team have spent months and weeks in the run-up to it making sure that there is a realistic looking faux fur alternative for every fur item listed in the play. The 1950s fashion for furs is a key plot point in Breath of Spring. However the reviewer and our audience, of any age, can rest assured that no animals were harmed in its making. Two key members of the backstage team, for whom a water bowl and a dog bed were provided during rehearsals, were not available for comment during show nights. However their human colleagues in the props department would be happy to answer any questions. Regards, Altrincham Little Theatre.
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