Time and the Conways

Synopsis

Classic family drama from the author of An Inspector Calls. It is 1919 and Mrs Conway, an easy going widow, and her daughters are enjoying a life filled with entertaining, laughter and young men. All have high spirits and high hopes for the future. But eighteen years later the optimistic aftermath of the first world war has faded and things have progressed not necessarily according to their rose tinted predictions. One of J B Priestley's finest plays, 'Time and the Conways' questions the concept of time, destiny and predestination.

Our Review:

16 December 2001

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...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 9 January 2002:

Hallo...I did not worry about the period language or manners...it is a period piece after all. But what concerned me a bit was that the shock third act, when Priestley's trick is revealed, cannot have any impact in this particular theatre, as we have all sat through the scene change. I can imagine the impact as the curtain rises/or the lights come up on the third act and it not what we were expecting. To get a similar effect, if I had been directing this I might have played the whole play, with no interval at all, and the time periods are literal jump cuts, as Ayckbourn has done since. Of course this would not allow for any change of the nice period furniture that the exchange gets obsessed with, but there would be nothing wrong with a more abstract approach, with the same furniture doing for the different periods. I think this would give the play a more dramatic impact. Any thoughts..... yes a shame about Mrs Overall, but I quite liked Ms Drake otherwise. she certainly has a sparkle....

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