Noël Coward’s classic romance steams into Theatre by the Lake to take audiences back to the innocent times of the late 1940s with a brilliant recreation of the movie for the stage.
I have to disclose I am a Brief Encounter fan. The black and white movie is one of my favourites, so it was with some trepidation as well as the excitement I went to see Emma Rice’s adaptation for the stage. And I was not disappointed.
The classic lines written by Coward are all there, the atmosphere of the provincial railway station buffet captured to perfection, even before the play begins. Set in the round, the audience is brought into the play with two ‘ushers’ welcoming everyone as they enter the main theatre. And as we are getting these greetings we also meet Beryl and Mrs Bagot – the waitress and manager of the station café where the tale begins.
The story is of a respectable, middle-class married woman Laura, who meets a handsome doctor, Alec in the platform café shocked a nation when originally released in 1945 – today it makes a statement about the social norms and hidden unhappiness of the post-war era.
It’s hard to think of Brief Encounter without Celia Johnson and Trevour Howard taking the lead roles, however, Anne-Marie Piazza and Pete Ashmore steal the show back from them in this production which came from the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough and Bolton Octagon Theatre before opening in Keswick.
The direction by Paul Robinson is sublime – weaving us through the timeline of the tragic love story – and bringing music and laughter as well to this production. This production has a feel of a classic Dennis Potter drama.
The cast members are triple threats – great actors, great musicians and great dancers. This is a truly entertaining and beautiful production.
Natasha Lewis as Mrs Bagot, the manager of the cafe and Robert Jackson as the Railway Station official Albert Godby are brilliant together – as their romance grows in tandem with Laura and Alec’s passion.
And Lara Lewis as the waitress and as her suiter Stanley, played by Joey Hickman are also well cast together as the third romantic tale.
Rishi Manuel as Laura’s son Bobbie creates the believable child, fighting with his sister about how they should celebrate his birthday. Excellent acting.
For me this is a perfect night at the theatre – one not to miss.
- Brief Encounter runs at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick until Saturday, October 8.
- For more details and to book tickets visit www.theatrebythelake.com
