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Our House

May 13, 2008

Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 13th May, 2008

star

May, a middle aged woman is emigrating and as she awaits the moving van, we join her as she looks back on her life. Writer and director John Godber uses Our House to tackle the subject of change as his female protagonist, played by Jacqueline Naylor, remembers her family, the neighbours who have left the area and the problem family that has moved in.

The play represents May and her husband Ted (Dicken Ashworth), as victims of change suffering from the effects of pit closures and the decline in community behaviour. Even their attempts to buy their Council house to better themselves ends in disaster. Change is, therefore, portrayed as always being for the worse and, whilst the audience might share this point of view, one cannot help but feel that the author might aim higher and give a deeper examination of other aspects - such as son Jack being able to progress beyond working in the local pit.

A play which covers such a long period of time gives the actors plenty of scope to show how their characters develop- a task to which all respond very well. Naylor and Ashworth are able to convey how May and Ted ’s increasingly infirmity, yet stoic pride perfectly. One memorable scene features May cleaning the house on the day they are leaving.

Annmarie Hosell , Lewis Linford and Fiona Wass take-on multiple roles and accents with aplomb and Matthew Booth gives Jack a dark edge showing a real willingness to commit violence against those smaller than himself.

Our House is at the very least warm and at times, funny. Godber has an affection for his characters and describes situations which are common experiences for the audience. It is the sort of play to which everyone can relate – we have all had similar experiences to May and Ted at some point – and the audience responds with both recognition and sympathy.

If it has a fault it is that the author simply describes, rather than challenges the audience. Therefore you are left feeling a sense of bleak apathy which is not removed by the all too neat ending which suggests that the neighbours from hell are about to receive their just deserts.

-Dave Cunningham

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