Mary Barton

Synopsis

Love, murder, poverty and injustice in this passionate tale by the writer of 'Wives and Daughters'. The classic tale confronts the bewildering changes in society in the 1840's, but its wonderfully drawn characters are totally human and individual in their response. This is a gripping tale of suspense and injustice.

Our Review:

12 September 2006

The Royal Exchange is currently celebrating its 30th Anniversary. What better way to start than bringing this Manchester-set production to the famous round stage.

"A Decent Life Will Kill Us All" says Elizabeth Gaskell's female protagonist and this sums up the whole feel of Mary Barton. Each character has something to honour but many have nothing by the dénouement. But never fear as Rona Munro's adaptation contains so much dry wit that you will not leave the theatre feeling as down as you may have feared.

Our heroine works in a dress shop in St Ann's Square, Manchester in the 1840s making gowns for the well to do daughters of the mill owners. By night she endeavours to join the rich women. But there are two men in her life which halts her rise to the top. One is a poor metal worker; the other is the son of a mill owner. Which one will she choose?

This may sound like a typical costume drama but there is so much narrative drive here that it is h...

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Latest User Review

82.153.211.207) - 10 October 2006:

This production really didn't do it for me at all, and I feel that it was not a good choice for the intimacy of the Royal Exchange. The novel is a huge one in its scope and coverage of social issues of the time, and much as it worked at it, I felt that the production failed (as inevitably it would) to convey the drama and passion of the novel, but failed equally to offer a small stage version which was an acceptable alternative. The sets, I felt were good, but too many important parts of the story were left out, and I felt that without the knowledge I had of the book, I would have been struggling sometimes to follow the plot. The acting was good, but sometimes overpassionate. I could not help thinking that in many instances the characters would not have proclaimed but rather whispered their feelings. Much as I love the live theatre, it is perhaps a mistake to try to adapt such novels, or perhaps the mistake is mine in going to see them and hoping not to be disappointed....

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