The works of George Eliot can scarcely be described as a laugh a minute, but this engaging story of nineteenth century rural life has much to recommend it and director Tim Baker has devised an effective format in which to spin this yarn about a "man without a past" - a weaver who withdraws from society after being falsely accused of theft, and who learns to live and love again after finding an abandoned child.
The trick of having the company perform their own musical soundtrack is by no means a novel one - the same director's production of The Threepenny Opera used the same idea to great effect, as did Red Shift's Nicholas Nickleby - but it is undoubtedly clever and gives the piece a sense of drama which could all too easily be negated by a pre-recorded soundtrack.
Johnson Willis's other-worldly performance as the troubled weaver - a man who has been crushed by the heavy weight of loneliness for far too many years - is well observed and cleverly conveyed, while Catrin Aaron's performance as Eppie will linger in the memory for some considerable time.
Tonya Smith, Ifan Huw Dafydd, Kai Owen and Simon Nehan are among those whose performances enliven this unpretentious and enjoyable production, though among the supporting cast it has to be said that Kerry Joy Stewart's portrayal of Dolly Winthrop - a demanding role which involves moments of quiet poignancy and broad comedy in equal measure - is nothing short of perfect.
While this piece has been eclipsed in recent weeks by Clwyd Theatre Cymru's current production of the more timely Oh, What a Lovely War!, it is a highly enjoyable and involving work - and one which demonstrates that a play does not always
have to be "relevant" in order to engage an audience. |
