Every now and again a piece of theatre comes along that touches you so deeply you are either stopped in your tracks or you sob all the way home. I did both!
Set in 1965 this musical version of The Bridges of Madison County is based on the novel by Robert James Waller and lots of people will remember the 1995 film with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, who also directed it.
Francesca Johnson was a war bride who came over from Naples after marrying American serviceman Richard ‘ Bud’ Johnson. Together they build a life on his farm in Madison County, Iowa, raising cattle and two children, Carolyn and Michael. When Bud takes the children to the county fair to show their prize steer Francesca expects to spend 4 days quietly reading, taking baths and trying out new recipes, but her life is turned upside down by the arrival of National Geographic photographer Robert, who has come to photograph the famous covered bridges of Madison County.
Charlotte Curtis as Francesca draws you into the character with such warmth and charm, yet you can see how tired and worn out she is from a life she never really expected to have. Then how her face and manner change when she meets Robert, as she becomes a girl again, joyful and coquettish, consumed with love and hope. Charlotte’s performance fills the stage and I couldn’t take my eyes from her.
Duncan Broatch plays the enigmatic photographer, Robert Kincaid, who blows into town and fully intends to blow out again just as soon as he gets his pictures. From the moment he asks Francesca for directions to the Roseman bridge and their eyes meet you can feel the tension in the air and see the chemistry between them. Duncan plays Robert with a quiet sensitivity especially in the tender love scenes, which where handled beautifully; sensuous without being sensational. All credit to the director Steve Taplin and Sally Broatch, who oversaw the musical staging, for this. The movement between Francesca and Robert, the way they circled and skirted around each other, was like a dance, where we were waiting for them to finally connect.
In contrast to how deep and thoughtful Robert is, Francesca’s husband, Bud, played by Mike Cook, is an all American brute of a man. He quite clearly loves his family but takes his wife for granted and is harsh and coarse with the children. Mike conveys this well and it helps the audience understand Francesca’s dilemma even more. At the end it was all I could do to stop myself shouting out ‘ Run Francesca, just run away from him’ and that’s testimony to the power of Mike’s performance.
It’s never easy having to cast children in a play, it can often be distracting and jar, especially when the subject matter is so grown up. But this is a musical about family life and we need to see a family and how it grows and changes over the years. Misty Taplin and Liam Abernethy play teenagers Carolyn and Michael Johnson, and bring the characters to life showing how rebellion was in the air for young people, even in the midwest in the mid sixties.
With all the sexual tension and family trauma you need some light relief and that’s provided by neighbours Marge and Charlie, played by Leslie Burrows and Phil Cory. Marge is on hand with binoculars and lasagne to pry and provide in equal measure and Charlie, well Charlie just wants pie. The parts are played beautifully with a light comic touch that lifts the show just when we need it.
Robert’s ex-wife Marian, played by Molly Harmer, makes a brief appearance with one number ‘Another Life’, looking the very picture of a 1960s folk singer, guitar in hand, she laments her broken marriage and it’s a lovely cameo with her gorgeous singing voice.
Indeed the whole cast soar with their singing ability. The score won a Tony and you can hear why. I can imagine it’s not easy to sing though, with lots of different genres to tackle, including folk, country, blues and even elements of opera but Olly Wood as MD has guided the cast through each number expertly. Great also to hear a live band playing rather than backing tracks, it adds such a richness to a musical.
I just about held it together in the auditorium as the first night audience rose to its feet, but I was an emotional wreck on the way home. Take tissues and let yourself be taken away in this wonderful love story. I urge you to go.
The Bridges of Madison County plays at the Gallery Studio Theatre until Saturday 5th October – tickets are available on The Gallery Players Website
SUFFOLK THEATRE 