E. Nesbit's seminal work, 'The Railway Children' has been delighting youngsters for generations, although it's popularity and appeal now belong to a different world from that of our contemporary preteen. In fact, by today's standards the novel, and indeed every adaptation of it I have thus far seen,(quite a lot!), with the exception of this evening's by Mike Kenny, has managed to completely bypass our contemporary age and create faithfully an Edwardian pastiche of goo. Not here. Kenny's script sparkles, and is not meant to be taken seriously.. in fact, it is a farce, a lampooning of the novel, nothing more. With sarcasm and wit aplenty, the play should move at a fair pace and we should see over-the-top, larger-than-life caricatures populate this world.
Most unfortunately, director Helen Nelson, appears to have misunderstood this, and instead of a fast-paced comedy, we were presented with a quasi-serious melodrama, which, despite the cast's best efforts, fell flat, because the dialogue demanded comedy. Nelson needed a different adaptation in order to realise her vision of the production. The style of the play should have been apparent from the start, when the cast not only acknowledge the audience, but chat to them as they go along, quite happy to inform us that they are in a play and re-enacting a part of their childhood for us, and the first act ends with a plea for us to not deride the fact that they wouldn't show an actual rail disaster as this was family entertainment.. and to go for some ice-cream!
The more dramatic elements of the play, such as the mystery of why father is absent, and the mysterious old man who befriends them etc were built nicely, and the lines which were played for laughs were nicely paced and al landed correctly. The three children - dressed as children, but actually adult actors - (another clue to the style of production), all worked well together. The three having individual characteristics but working as a unit, and al were immediately likeable and we were more than happy to want to watch them and follow them in their exploits. Bobbie (Sophie Greenwood), Phyllis (Cathryn Osborne), and Peter (Daniel Mason).
A large cast was used in this production, including a non-speaking ensemble with some children too. This was a nice touch, and helps the society to build that all important relationship with the youngsters of toady and involve them as much as possible with the theatre, since, they are indeed the theatre's future.
The whole cast impressed and worked extremely well this evening, delivering some lovely characters [forgetting for a moment that they should have been caricatures...!], however I should like, if I may be so bold, as to give a special mention to a couple who impressed with their stagecraft over and above. These were Stevan Manley as a bright, bubbly, and believable Mr Perks, Amy Braithwaite as a sullen and jobsworth Maid, and Fiona Thompson as a sympathetic wife and mother still with a sparkle in her eye, as Mrs. Perks.
The stage was set with a large railway bridge at the rear, and central and atop of this, a screen upon which photos and videos were played in order to fill out the setting, and give an almost cinematic feel when the trains pass by. All other scenes were performed in front of this and between two large piles of Victorian valises and travelling cases, with the SM team bringing on items as required. It was smooth, seamless, and worked nicely. Sound levels, lighting, and costuming were all appropriate and worked well this evening.
Overall an enjoyable production, and the cast did excellently with what they were given. It was such a shame that the script did not realise its full potential and be the rip-roaring comedy it was crying out to be.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 9.6.23
on - 9.6.23
Goodness, I have never read anything so cruel. You talk about this cast & director as though they are professionals. They are not! Be encouraging, be polite, be professionally constructive, but don’t be so nasty. You say this play is a farce. It isn’t. To quote Samuel French, LTD “ The Railway Children (Play) - full length play, Drama. Pay no attention reader, this review is not at all accurate. I went to watch it and I thought it was delightful.
ReplyDeleteClearly you did it see the same production as I did. This was a tremendous heartfelt interpretation. There are times when reviewers forget they are reviewing people who are fulfilling a hobby. It’s a shame this review has seen the light of day.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that in future you engage in sufficient research of both the play and the playwright before writing a review. This may allow you to avoid presenting an incorrect opinion as factual. If you had, you would have realised that Mike Kenny’s script and interpretation of the Railway Children is not written to be performed as a 'farce'. If you would like proof of this I would suggest you watch the original Olivier Award winning production of the Railway Children currently available to watch for free on Youtube.
ReplyDeleteTotally clueless!
ReplyDeleteReviewer here! There seems to be a lot of negativity about my review above. Might I first point out that I have always considered the fact that amateurs are doing it for the love of it, and if you had read ALL the review, you would know that I have praised the whole team for their cumulative efforts and have not been disparaging in any way to any. I have, however criticised the director for not acknowledging this as a comedy. If The National Theatre and even Mr Kenney himself are thinking this to be a drama , then they too, in my opinion, are mistaken. And reviews are, for the most part. opinion. If you require a reviewer to do research before writing the review, then that reviewer needs to be paid for this.. we also do this for the love of it.. we are also unpaid and amateur.. so please bear that in mind too! If any of you anonymous people above would like to put your money where your mouth is and make yourselves known to me by offering to review yourselves, as you obviously think you can do better, then please feel free.
ReplyDeleteI have never before engaged in posted reader comments, but these really have annoyed me. I shall not be entering into any further discussion however.