Time & the Conways (Manchester)

The Royal Exchange first staged this JB Priestley family drama in 1973, which marked the play's first major revival since its 1937 premiere. That was, in fact, the first time Priestley released the rights and the author himself attended rehearsals. Now, almost 30 years later, the director of that highly acclaimed revival, Braham Murray, is directing this new production as part of the Royal Exchange's 25th anniversary celebrations.

The story of Time and the Conways begins in autumn 1919, with the family gathering for daughter Kay's 21st birthday. The six Conway children, confident in their youth and social position, look forward to a rosy future. In the aftermath of the Great War and its resulting tribulations, the world at large is looking to the future too, craving release and a return to a more carefree existence. Flashforward to autumn 1937 and another Conway conference, this time on Kay's 40th birthday. Instead of being an occasion for celebration, this time we find the family touched by tragedy and circumstance, with another war looming.

As in so many of his works, Priestley toys here with the nature of time, raising some intriguing questions. Is destiny mapped out or, with premonition, can a person re-determine their future? And can the text itself really be believed - have these changes in fortune really occurred to the Conways or are they only a glimpse of what could happen? It's interesting to remember that, while the play was written in 1937, it accurately predicted the outbreak of the Second World War.

Sadly, although such explorations are always thought-provoking, Time and the Conways brings little else to contemporary audiences and, as a result, feels very past its prime. The characters themselves are walking time capsules. They're far too jolly for one thing - did people really say "golly" and "gosh" so much? - which makes it difficult for the actors to avoid coming across as overblown and faintly ridiculous.

Still, Murray has assembled a talented company who give it their all. In the role of Mrs Conway, Gabrielle Drake ages poignantly (although for the elderly matron, she does seem to have found overmuch inspiration in Julie Walters' Mrs Overall). And there are strong performances from Sarah Kirkman as Kay, the family's budding author; a very funny Naomi Frederick as 'baby' Carol; and Jessica Lloyd as idealistic Madge, who becomes a bitter school marm once her hopes are dashed.

Johanna Bryant, who designed the 1973 production, re-creates a wonderfully homey period living space for the Conways, and this is enhanced by some exquisite costumes and Robert Bryan's clever lighting.

Overall, the Exchange's re-run of Time and the Conways is a memorable production, high on atmosphere and effort, if somewhat outdated and overacted.

- Val Bennion