Review of The Deep Blue Sea
From the Newbury Weekly News.

In England, attempted suicide was a crime until 1961. Terence Rattigan's play, set in 1952, opens with Hester Collyer lying on the floor of her flat having unsuccessfully tried to kill herself. Her marriage to high court judge William Collyer had failed, and her subsequent passionate fling with former RAF pilot Freddie Page was not working out. The final strands of this relationship are severed by her action, and Freddie, increasingly dependant on alcohol, leaves her. Befriended by the enigmatic Mr Miller, Hester is helped to come to terms with the situation.

Carol Burbedge, as Hester, gave the role a sort of resigned sadness. Although out of control of her destiny, you could see the strength of character underneath. Andrew Pitcher was a caddish Freddie, without much charm, and the opposite of her husband. His cut-glass accent was too strong, often making it difficult to understand what he was saying.

Mari Fleming, as the nosey housekeeper/landlady who can't keep a secret, brought some humour to the play. Graham Jerome was perfect as the urbane Collyer who wants his wife back, and the scenes with him and Hester came across particularly well as she tried to resist his efforts to get her to return to her former life.

Ross Williams was very convincing as the diffident Philip Welch and as Page's friend Jackson, and Sarah Clark was good as the mousy Ann Welch. Tom Shorrock, as the struck-off doctor with the missing bedside manner, gave an excellent performance, especially at the end when he is Hester's salvation.

The set, designed by Jane and Andrew Hodgson, was very impressive, with good attention to the period detail (apart from the plastic top to the Marmite jar!), including the plumbed gas fittings and the mark on the wallpaper when the picture was removed.

When Rattigan wrote the play, the subjects of divorce and suicide were much more controversial than they are today, and Megan Bush's classy production gave an interesting insight into the world of half a century ago.

PAUL SHAVE

Rehearsing

NODA review

Mortimer Dramatic Society
THE DEEP BLUE SEA
Friday 29th October 2004
St John’s Hall, Mortimer
Henry Hawes - NODA Rep - Region 13
Report
Hester Collyer is rescued by a neighbour after attempting suicide in the furnished flat she shares with her younger lover, ex-RAF pilot Freddie Page. He too is aware that their relationship is doomed and accepts a job abroad as a test pilot, despite a drink problem which may affect his judgement. He does not intend to take Hester with him although she clings obsessively to him begging him to stay. Later she is visited by her husband, Judge, Sir William Collyer, who wants her to come back to him, but she refuses; even the shaky relationship with Freddie contained more than her stolid marriage. Sir William leaves and Hester decides on suicide again but this attempt is interrupted by the upstairs neighbour Mr Miller, a Struck-Off doctor. He convinces her that it is possible to live without hope, as he indeed has to. When Freddie unexpectedly returns to say farewell, Hester has come to terms with herself and his departure.
So we have the makings of a classic 1950’s drama by that excellent wordsmith, Terence Rattigan, but it requires an excellent cast and a producer with an eye for detail for it to have the right impact, but on the night of my visit on Friday 29th October 2004, I witnessed as good a presentation of this play as you are likely to see, presented by the Mortimer Dramatic Society. It had been extremely well cast with every member portraying the right character revealing the social facade of the times, depicting the depths of unhappiness to which human hearts can be driven, all performed within a magnificent set
Carol Burbedge - (HESTER COLLYER) - This was a moving and powerful performance by Carol exactly right in every aspect I could not fault it. Not only is this a large part for any actress, but it requires the performer to run the whole gamut of emotions, in particular in her relationship with her lover ‘Freddie’ and her husband, all portrayed with constrained composure and placidity. All the dignity and feeling was shown in abundance - Congratulations on a superb performance.
Mari Fleming - (MRS ELTON) - This was a delightful, well crafted characterisation by Mad, she portrayed exactly a typical, nosey, landlady of the period and owner of this type of house. Good controlled movement about the stage area with some wonderful facial expressions and a well sustained accent throughout - Congratulations.
Ross Williams - (PHILIP WELCH)
Sarah Clark - (ANN WELCH) - These two smaller roles of the neighbours of Hester, ware very well played by Ross and Sarah, They displayed just the right amount of disdain as one would expect from their characters. Although indicating that they were attentive neighbours, one could tell that they did not agree with Hester’s way of life. Good diction, facial expressions and movement - Well done.
Tom Shorrock - (Mr MILLER) - This was a lovely characterisation by Tom indicating that he had plumbed the depths of despair but had risen above the many trials and tribulations which had beset him in his career and as such, being able to relate to other persons in the same position and help them though their problems with Sound advice. Tom had developed a superb accent which fitted the character completely and not once did it slip - Congratulations.
Graham Jerome - (WILLIAM COLLYER) - This was an excellent portrayal by Graham of the Judge, Sir William Collyer and the estranged husband of Hester who desperately wanted his wife back but was respected at every turn. His intellectual poise was well delineated, expressing beautifully the pain at his wife’s rejection. Controlled movement about the stage and expressive diction - Well done.
Andrew Pitcher - (FREDDIE PAGE) - As the ex-flyer and lover of Hester Collyer, Andrew gave an emotive performance conveying the frailty and unsteadiness of the character with dramatic power - This was another outstanding performance.
Ross Williams - (JACKIE JACKSON) - As the friend of ‘Freddie’ this was another of the smaller roles in the overall production, but it is essential that it is played correctly to keep the fragile balance between the various characters, in particular with ‘Freddie Page’. Ross depicted just the right approach to the part, making it into a believable friend who was bemused in the way his friend was acting. I particularly liked the hesitant, stylised speech developed by Ross, which was well sustained - Well done.
Megan Bush - (DIRECTOR) - I was impressed with Megan’s direction and had obviously brought all her experience to bear which resulted in a presentation in the spirit of Torrance Rattigan’s writing I could not fault the casting with each and every performer exhibiting a finely honed character. Movement about stage was first-class with a balanced stage at all times. The whole of the cast had been well rehearsed with cues picked up faultlessly giving a splendid flow to the proceedings and to me the staging was just right. My congratulations for a splendid production of The Deep Blue Sea
Stage Manager - A well managed stage throughout the performance.
Set Design & Construction - Once again the Mortimer technicians excelled themselves by constructing a most realistic set. It was solid and well built and congratulations to all concerned.
Set Dressing - This aspect was of a high order with a lot of thought having gone into the items that were used ensuring that the dressing was effective and in keeping with the period.
Props - All props that were used had been well researched and in keeping with the period displayed.
Lighting Design & Operation - A good lighting plot which generated the right atmosphere on stage, with a different plot for the three scenes showing morning, afternoon and evening. Operation on the night of my visit could not be faulted with well picked up cues.
Costumes - This selection of costumes fitted each and every character perfectly, both in style period and fit - Well done
Programme - A nice programme of the right size containing many items of interest; the research into the 50’s worried me as I could remember all of it
Front of House - As always, Front of House staff were easily identifiable and welcoming to their audience
Thank you for your invitation to review your latest production and for your warm hospitality. This was a superb production and congratulations to all concerned. I wish you all success for your next presentation.
Henry Hawes - NODA Representative - Region 13

Rehearsal Pictures by Mark Brome
www.markbrome.com

Andrew Pitcher as Freddie Page

Andrew Pitcher as Freddie Page sinking another Scotch

Graham Jerome as Sir William Collyer pontificates as Tom Shorrock's Mr Miller gazes on

Ross Williams as Jackie Jackson

Mr Miller and Freddie empty the bottle

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