This intense drama is ideally staged in the theatre Forge, an intimate space that has around sixty seats on three sides. Hence, as an audience member, you are close to the action and can see every nuance and expression, something I particularly like. Director Peter Scofield made effective use of every inch in his well-designed set, a small Northwest London flat in the early 1950s.
The play is inspired by the breakdown of the playwright’s own relationship with his former lover. It opens with Hester Collyer (Rebecca Carney) entering from the bedroom in a very distraught state. Her intention to commit suicide is clear as she switches on the gas fire and lies next to it, covering the back of her head with a pillow. Evidence of pill taking and recently drunk alcohol is on the table near the centrally positioned sofa.
Frantic knocking and shouting are then heard. Wily housekeeper Mrs. Elton, played with admirable gusto by Carol Butler, and tenants Philip and Ann Welch (Alfred Howard and Eleanor Maxwell) barge in and find Hester just in time. Luckily, the gas had run out as she had forgotten to top up the meter. Mr. Miller (Chris Dunn) is called for – he used to be a doctor, although the reasons for this only become clear later.
Suffice it to say that Miller insisted on being referred to as “Mr", not “Doctor”, and now has a job as a bookmaker’s assistant.
Hester is helped into the off-stage bedroom to recover, and to allow Miller to examine her. In an emotional and rather tragic play, it is important that the mood is tempered with humour, and this is largely provided by the housekeeper who regularly refers to elderly Mr. Elton, but we never see him.
As the first act continues, we are introduced to the rest of the cast. Firstly, Hester’s estranged husband Sir William Collyer (Simon Mott), who is summoned from his duties as a high court judge. Then we meet Freddie Page (Ben Kilburn), whom Hester has been having a tempestuous affair with for the last 10 months. It is interesting to note that Hester calls herself Mrs. Page to the Welches, Miller and Elton as she has obviously tried to hide the fact that she left her husband for Freddie. Lastly, we come across Page’s close business associate Jackie Jackson (Tom Wilson).
Whenever Hester meets or speaks to her actual husband, she calls him Willy. There is good chemistry between Hester and Willy. Sadly though, it is plainly obvious why she left him for the flamboyant, much younger Freddie. Unfortunately for Hester and anyone else who encounters Freddie, he is unpredictable and bad tempered, especially when drunk. His penchant for whisky is both witnessed by the audience and referred to in conversation regarding his frequent visit to the golf course, gentlemen’s clubs and other venues of ill repute. We learn that Freddie was a highly skilled pilot in the RAF during the Second World War, and we hear of his efforts to secure alternative employment as a test pilot.
Every actor was ‘on point’ as far as their individual characters were concerned. All lines were well delivered with strong diction and good changes of emphasis and passion when required. The pace of what is quite a verbose play was maintained throughout, and I can highly recommend it.
Thank you to Peter and the front-of-house staff for their welcome and hospitality. Free street parking is available along Hanover Street from 6:30pm. The production runs until Saturday 24.05.2025 and tickets can be purchased from the theatre’s website: https://www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk/
Reviewer - David Swift
On - 19/05/2025
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