Review of At the Torch from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

Exuberance, high humour and good spirits.

At the Torch

She Stoops to Conquer- Mappa Mundi / Torch Theatre / Theatr Mwldan , Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan & Touring , April 26, 2009

A GUIDE TO ALL REVIEWS OF PRODUCTIONS BY THE TORCH CAN BE SEEN BELOW 25th FEBRUARY 2021

Review:

Humour at present seems to be departing from the stage.” This was Oliver Goldsmith writing in 1773; not so, on the evidence of Mappa Mundi’s roisterous production of his comedy of the same year.

“She Stoops to Conquer” is in fact not as funny as its reputation would have it. It does not have the farcical propulsion which Goldoni gave to his comedy successes. But if it is a single joke comedy it is still a pretty good one. Under Peter Doran’s careful direction, from the opening harpsichord to the last dance, Mappa Mundi carry it off with verve.

It is not the style of the company to treat classic texts as untouchable holy writ- the prologue and epilogue are dropped here- but there is no stinting on the look of it. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones’ costume design, created by first and second year students at Coleg Morgannwg, is all lace and gorgeous crimson and purple satins.

Secondly, Goldsmith’s text has the linguistic panache that is the characteristic of the Irish literary tradition. After an abortive coach ride of flight Mrs Hardcastle confesses herself “stuck fast in a slough, jolted to a jelly.” Liam Tobin’s role as hearty Mr Hardcastle is to spend much of the play at a near-explosive pitch of indignation but he still has to master lines like being “astonished at the deliberate intrepidity of his assurance.” Edward Harrison’s swaggering tease of a Tony Lumpkin employs a “circumbendibus” among his bag of tricks. Kate, in her guise as a servant, protests against her other self being treated “in this obstropalous manner”, a word that Goldsmith made up.

The pleasure in the playing runs right across the cast of nine. With her peacock feathers, her piled-high hair, her chalk-white face, her blush and beauty spots Kathryn Dimery’s Mrs Hardcastle is a squawking fright. Keiron Self’s socially timorous Charles Marlow takes deep hyper-ventilating breaths to prepare himself for his romantic interview. In contrast Richard Nichols’ Hastings is all urbane calculation.

Interestingly, much of the plot subterfuges are driven by the two younger women, Lynne Seymour’s purposeful Constance and Mali Tudno Jones’ role-shifting Kate Hardcastle. Intelligence and assured knowingness flash across her face.

Lastly, this is Mappa Mundi and some mappamundian touches, if such an adjective exists, are guaranteed. A moon the size of the Dreamworks motif descends for the garden scene. A called-for bush magically materialises, courtesy of a moving fireplace stone. A front row audience couple first samples Squire Hardcastle’s punch and then later gets to stand in, silently, as a pair of offstage drunken servants. It is all done with exuberance, high humour and good spirits. And in a week of near unparallelled gloom, that is no small thing.

Reviewed by: Adam Somerset

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There are 81 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:

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At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (07 December 2023)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 May 2018)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (04 December 2017)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (04 March 2016)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (13 October 2015)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (09 December 2013)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (03 December 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 November 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Amanda Griffiths (15 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (05 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (03 August 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (16 May 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 May 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (27 April 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (09 June 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (14 May 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (15 December 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (11 October 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (19 August 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (13 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (07 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (04 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (12 December 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (05 April 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (04 December 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (25 October 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters, The Stage (16 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (12 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Terry Johnson, The Stage (15 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (12 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Simon Carr. Western Telegraph (09 December 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (23 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Emma Jones, Western Telegraph (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Walters, Milford Mercury (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 March 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 February 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (10 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (06 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jenny Hanson, Tenby Observer (05 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (31 January 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by JENNY HANSON (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Assorted Edinburgh papers (02 August 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (26 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvet (28 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (21 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Andrews Davies (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by MILFORD & WEST WALES MERCURY (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Keith Johnson, Western Telegaph (13 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tenby Observer (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, Milford Mercury (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Janet Bott (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (05 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (26 October 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (11 September 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (09 August 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victoria Cooper (10 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Elaine Atack (03 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvett (28 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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