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

At the Torch

Torch Theatre-Oh Hello , Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre , March 10, 2004

"So what is it tonight, then?" The question came from Rick, a young bartender at the Grand. "A one-man play about Charles Hawtrey," I replied - at which point Rick looked totally baffled. "And now," I continued, "You're going to ask me 'Who's Charles Hawtrey?' aren't you?"

"That was going to be my next question," replied Rick. Strangely, however, when I described Hawtrey - the skinny little man with specs who was in the Carry On films - he knew exactly who I meant.

This poignant, moving, resonant and at times very funny play adopts the usual "tears of a clown" approach to tell the story of a man whose fate seemed inevitable: isolation, alcohol, despair, crushing loneliness, illness and death.

Written and performed by Dave Ainsworth, the production uses a mixture of minimalist staging and projection(including clips from the Carry On films)to convey a claustrophobic feel which is ideally suited to an intimate performance space.

Amazingly, this is by no means as glum or downbeat as one might imagine: the piece is blessed with wonderful anecdotes which give an insight into Hawtrey's troubled life, such as the occasion when his mother threw Pinewood Studios into chaos by attempting to flush several toilet rolls down the loo("They had to stop work on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," recalls Hawtrey).

Sharp, subtle and written from the point of view of one who cares deeply about his subject, this is as fine a piece of live theatre as one could ever wish to see, illustrating the dangers of cutting one's self off from friends and colleagues who might be able to stop one spiralling into despair and self-destruction.

Hawtrey's proudest boast was that he had worked with some of the most legendary figures in the British movie industry. "I've worked with Will Hay," he says here. "I've been directed by Alfred Hitchcock."

The transitory nature of the business, is illustrated by a line from a fireman who pulls Hawtrey out of his home following a horrific blaze. The Carry On star shares his memories of working with Will Hay, but the fireman's reaction - the very last line of the play, in fact - captures all the sadness and poignancy of Hawtrey's situation.

"Who," he asks, "is Will Hay?"

Reviewed by: Graham Williams

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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 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 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 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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