Rutherford and Son

Synopsis

John Rutherford has built up the business like his father before him and he naturally expects to pass it on to his eldest son. However, his son has other plans. He has something to sell, an invention that will release him from his father's tyranny and a future following in those laborious footsteps. With aspirations to achieve independence, make their own futures and find love, Rutherford's children have choices to make that may jeopardise the business and the family. This Edwardian classic and powerful drama is on a par with the work of Ibsen, Gorky and Granville Barker. It enjoyed huge success in London and New York, and was hailed as 'a remarkable play'.

Our Review:

24 January 2005

Rutherford and Son recently featured in the National Theatre's 2000 platforms list of 100 plays that represent the progress of drama through the twentieth century. Proof that Githa Sowerby's classic tale of a family torn apart by a tyrannical father still has the power to provoke discussion.

Set on the desolate Northern Moor, life is a struggle for the whole community, not least the family of John Rutherford (Maurice Roeves), owner of the local glassworks factory. His desperate attempts to build up his business mean that his three grown up children are merely pawns in his struggle to retain his empire.

Janet (Maxine Peake) is the servant of the house and receives no fatherly love for her stolen years. John (Daniel Brocklebank) is desperate to make his own way in the world, but realises that his modern views will ultimately give his father the ammunition to shoot him down whilst his loyal wife watches in disbelief. Richard, ([Jonas Armstron...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

No reviews yet

Click here to add your review