[PaulT]

We saw the play on Saturday night.

Once again Peter Bull and The Above The Stag team have put on yet another brilliant production. I have read E. M. Forster’s posthumously published novel three times and watched the Merchant-Ivory film countless times so I wondered if Roger Parsley and Andy Graham’s adaption for the stage would work for me. I needn’t have worried. The intimate setting of the theatre is perfect for this tense and moving story.

The staging is kept to a minimum and the slick scene changes move the story along perfectly. The cast are excellent. After the 90 minute first half my mind had not wandered at all from the story. The second half was tremendous. The tension built up and was maintained throughout. Even knowing the story so well did not spoil the ending for me.

I have to admit that, as much as I love the film, the casting for this production is better! Adam Lilley was brilliantly cast and maintained a convincing Maurice throughout the play. Clive was played by Rob Stott and by the end of the play I was really starting to hate his character! Alec Scudder was very gently and compassionately played by Stevie Raine. His authentic accent and gentle stage presence just added to the overall effect.

Maurice’s sister Ada, was beautifully played by Persia Lawson and his mother (Mrs Hall) was played by Leanne Masteron. The part of Anne, Clive’s wife, was taken by Laura Armstrong and delivered the line “You’re the eighth friend of Clive’s that I’ve spoken to today” brilliantly. She made my toes curl as I cringed at her faux pas. All three actresses portrayed the Edwardian ladies with finesse.

Other cast members included Gil Sutherland who was a grumpy and mean Doctor Barry, Gavin Dobson; a very superior Risley and Alec Gray as a dry, dusty and uncaring Dean Cornwallis. Jonathan Hansler portrayed a wise Mr Ducie as well as a most creepy and quite scary Mr Lasker Jones.

The intimate space and minimal props were used to great effect. Maurice’s nightmare scene was brilliantly staged as was Maurice’s second visit to the hypnotherapist with a bare chested Alec appearing through gauze.

It was clear that the whole company had terrific rapport with each other. The production warrants a second and third viewing.

http://www.abovethestag.com/page6.html