The Linden Tree

Synopsis

As Professor Linden celebrates his 65th birthday with his wife and children around him, he faces pressure both from within the family and from the University where he teaches. The times and values are changing. Post War Britain is on the move. The young look towards a new and different future, but they do not all share the same ideals. The Professor finds his life and his family are at a crisis point. In this powerful and moving play, Priestley s close, yet divided, family is rooted in the struggles faced by the country as whole.

Our Review:

20 February 2006

The Linden Tree is the latest example of the Orange Tree's splendid commitment to championing plays which have fallen out of the mainstream repertoire. Unfortunately, although Christopher Morahan's nicely balanced production is a creditable attempt to make the case for J.B. Priestley's 1947 state-of-the-nation play, it cannot disguise its weaknesses.

Its themes of idealism against materialism and tolerance against bigotry are of course still relevant today, but the characters tend to be merely mouthpieces for particular points of view. Sometimes it feels like we are in a debating society rather than a theatre.

The action focuses on a family reunion to celebrate Professor Robert Linden's 65th birthday at his home in the provincial university city of Burmanley. But the celebrations turn sour as divisions within the family are exposed. The Professor has no intention of retiring as he still believes he has a duty to carry on teaching his humanistic versi...

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Latest User Review

86.130.207.61) - 5 March 2006:

Though this play is slow to take off, when it does (particularly in Act II) it proves to be a fascinating piece and one wonders why on earth it is so rarely revived. It is given a terrific production with the Orange Tree theatre-in-the-round experience involving you in an almost voyeuristic way. I could not single out one member of this excellent cast, all of whom give performances that gel to create a detailed post-war world. Thank you Orange Tree for allowing us to see this rare gem....

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