The Handyman

Synopsis

On an idyllic summer's day at their Sussex home, Julian and Cressida Field are enjoying the serenity of the countryside, while Romka their aged handyman goes about his chores. For more than fifty years, he has worked for the family, living in a flat above the garage and doing odd jobs in the house and garden. But the peace of their afternoon is shattered by the arrival of two detectives from the War Crimes Squad, Scotland Yard. Could Romka be the man they are looking for?

Our Review:

14 September 2012

Could there be a more mundane title for a play than The Handyman? A title which gives nothing away but those who are aware of Ronald Harwood’s more dramatic works will know that he does not shirk serious subjects and will inevitably give fair hearing to all sides of a situation.

The play starts peacefully enough. Glorious sunshine, the birds are singing and the lush garden speaks of tranquillity but a mention of police cars suggests that the peace is about to be shattered. And indeed it is. For many years ‘Ronko’ has been part of the family; in fact a godsend as he cooks, repairs, gardens and sews but the law thinks it has caught up with him and uncovered crimes committed more than half a century ago.

Could this apparently gentle Ukrainian who ‘blubs’ have committed atrocities during the war which saw the death of hundreds of Jews? In a series of interviews accusations are made. Ronko often ‘can’t remember’ but is...

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Latest User Review

Kevin McMahon - 9 October 2012:

The theme of the play was a topical one a few years ago - with the passing of time it is less so now but still of interest. I think the role of the solicitor was given too much licence. Solicitors do not show their personal feelings when dealing with cases - especially sensitive cases such as the one in the play - and this solicitor showed a lot of personal feeling! The play lacked some suspense because the case was open and shut. Eye witnesses testified to the handyman's guilt so we were left with little doubt. The ending was therefore a trifle odd as the reviewer above says. I felt that the Catholicism of the cast was laboured. It was not necessary to the plot for Julian and Cressida to be Catholic as well as the handyman. It smacked of stereotyping which was ironic given the underlying message of the play. Having said all this I enjoyed the play and West was very good indeed. The parts were well acted and Julian was suitably irritating. I would recommend it....

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