Thank you to Graeme Johnston who went to see this production by Centre Stage at Haverhill Arts Centre 23rd March 2024 and wrote this guest review for us.
Drama is designed to challenge us in many ways. As an audience we discover emotions that push our limits whether it be joy, fear, sadness or even horror and the performers are challenged to push their skills to bring these emotions out from their audience. A play that is as complex as this incredible piece of work, that originally took Broadway by storm in the early 60s, is not often attempted by non-professional societies given the dedication required for almost three hours of acting without scene breaks. Centre Stage took on the challenge and delivered a sublime production that made the audience laugh, cry and feel uncomfortable at the same time. Precisely what quality drama should do.
The action took place on a single set in an ordinary living room of a married couple’s home, on a New England University campus, with a well-stocked drinks table ready for the ‘after hours’ gathering. The audience were seated on three sides of the living room almost within touching distance of the action which gave an intimacy to the proceedings. The actors were not compelled to perform in a single direction to the audience, making the audience feel like flies on the wall throughout. At this point, credit must be given to the lighting team for capturing the late-night feel of a suburban living room. This was achieved so effectively whilst illuminating the performers from all angles.
The cast was led by Steve Murray and Lorraine Taylor playing the hosts of the evening, George and Martha, a middle age couple with a complex and agonising relationship. The director, David Hart, opted to follow the film version and have George as an Englishman. The pent-up stoic reserve that Steve brought to George provided an extra edge to the character whilst Lorraine delighted in giving Martha a particularly vulgar streak. At the behest of Martha’s unseen, but all controlling father, they were forced to host the much younger couple Nick and Honey, skilfully played by Cian Harriss and Emma Cracknell. Both demonstrated their versatility as performers, starting as a naïve couple wishing to create a good impression, before the events of the evening took hold as they got swept up into the turbulence of the hosts relationship games.
The pace was fast and furious throughout, so much so that almost three hours of drama felt like 90 minutes. Mercifully, there were two intervals for both audience and cast to catch their breath! All cast deserve the highest praise for their performances. It is one thing to be able to learn such a great volume of complex dialogue but quite another to be able to create characters who develop rapidly throughout the play, displaying their nuances and idiosyncrasies keeping the audience hooked right up to the final twist. The director, cast and crew put on a highly polished performance that would not have looked out of place in the West End and for that we are grateful to Centre Stage for exceeding the dramatic challenges that they set.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 