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:

John Dixon - 23 September 2009

Rutherford and Son, is a dark play, literally, due to the lighting design by Anna Watson. The over long first half have leaves your eyes desperately adjusting to the lights in the foyer as you leave the auditorium. Luckily the much shorter second act does not suffer from the problem with the action taking place during the day.

This co-production by Northern Stage and Threshold Theatre of Githa Sowerby’s play has a lot going for it, such as being set in the North East, strong story, terrific set design by Naomi Dawson, yet it for some reason it fails to grip.

I felt this was because John Rutherford, the father who the family are afraid of, the man for whom dinner must be ready whatever time he walks in the house and the employer of many men in the glass works, is built up to be a mighty force to be reckoned with. But, Fred Pearson, as Rutherford, does not come across as a daunting character who everyone would fear to challenge. With the opening of th...

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