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

At the Torch

Torch Theatre Company- Round and Round the Garden , Torch Theatre Milford Haven , August 7, 2009

I managed to get into the garden before the dining room, and again there was the same intricate detail that Sean Crowley crafts into his deceptively simple sets: a role for each item, even an oily cloth.

The action has a pace just right for a summer’s weekend and the intimate scenes revealed just how wrong I was about some of the family.

Of Norman I have no doubts. Gareth Bale shows exactly how his manipulative, and romantically engaging character ticks and his ‘hands-on’ approach to the female members of the family is particularly impressive. Vivienne Rowdon’s Annie is putty in them, yet while I understand her disappointment over Norman’s choice of East Grinstead for their liaison, it’s difficult to forgive her treatment of her veterinary boyfriend.

Edward Harrison’s Tom has become so much more endearing. Comfortable in the garden, his hesitancy when in contact with humans generates comedy with every appearance. His silent scene with Ruth and the deck chairs is perfect, and leads to her put aside her aloof cynicism and give him the best visual advice that he’s ever going to get. Is it for her sister or herself? Who knows, but Tom’s misguided response is hilarious and Catrin Aaron’s Ruth is suddenly a nicer person.

Occasionally Reg appears wistful, but then Simon Ludders’ cheerfully energetic character is back with his driving routes and rules, always about, except for the moment when Kyra William’s Sarah succumbs to Norman’s charm.
She’s out to reprimand him, prim and precise as ever, but why sit so close? Maybe here’s the reason for Reg’s wistfulness because when she does succumb – well!

And there are garden games, proposals and towropes and colliding cars - and nothing conclusive.

I enjoyed every minute.

The Norman Conquests
(Table Manners, Living Together & Round and Round the Garden)
A trilogy of plays by Alan Ayckbourn.

Torch Theatre – Milford Haven
22 July to 29 August
Author: Alan Ayckbourn
Director: Peter Doran
Producer: Torch Theatre Company
Running Time (each play) 2hrs

Cast: Gareth Bale, Edward Harrison, Kyra Williams, Vivienne Rowdon,
Simon Ludders, Catrin Aaron

Reviewed by: Ron Waters

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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 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 (04 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (26 April 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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