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

First class performance and a fine conclusion

At the Torch

Torch Theatre- The Norman Conquests - Table Manners , Rorch Theatre, Milford Haven , August 13, 2009

If my maths is correct there are six possible ‘order of plays’ and perhaps Table Manners might better introduce the family and the purpose of this weekend gathering, but I’ve enjoyed my misunderstandings and was quite happy for it to conclude the trilogy.

With two plays under my belt I felt comfortable with the characters, and now I could sit back, watch the chaos and enjoy again the humour of the previous plays – from another room.

The arrival of Annie’s sister-in-law Sarah kicks things off and Kyra Williams’ character is determined to take over. I enjoyed how adroitly she handles such a mixture of props and her growing frustration as she attempts to organise her table arrangements. She clashes with everyone and it is inevitable that all her prissiness and anxiety will be laid bare. The dinner scene that follows, particularly with Edward Harrison’s Tom in the low chair, is a comedy high spot and there is so much hilarious interplay between the characters that I longed for a replay button. That they all perform so well while eating lettuce amazes me.

I’d been longing for Vivienne Rowdon’s Annie to stand-up for herself and when ‘three-a-day’ man Norman cruelly admits to not having booked their East Grinstead hotel room, she shows her mettle – and swears. But it’s water off a duck’s back to Norman, and even when Tom gets him with right hook, it’s for the wrong reason. I think that eventually she’ll turn to her mother’s homemade wine.

Norman’s dress sense and morals are unchanged, and his view that ‘girls were made to love and kiss’ has been so apparent in Gareth Bale’s excellent performance. I’ll wager that, given the opportunity, he’ll be back at it again. But that’s just what this family needs.
Only elegantly vain Ruth seems to have the measure of him. Catrin Aaron’s character loves Norman with contempt; disinterested with his philandering - as long as it doesn’t hold back her career - and dismissive of any involvement with her sister, even when Annie admits to it!

Estate agent Reg is constantly on the move and it took me while to fully appreciate his drum solo on the wastepaper bin. Occasionally a hint of melancholy shows through his armour of cheerfulness, but a shriek of delight from Simon Ludders’ character as each family secret is revealed can lift a scene straight back into comedy.

This was first class performance and a fine conclusion. The pedigree of this trilogy with performances in London and Broadway has in no way fazed Director Peter Doran and his creative team.

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 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 (07 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)
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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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