The Children's Hour

Synopsis

When a troubled teenager starts to spin a web of deceit, all around her are soon caught up in it. Karen Wright and Martha Dobie have worked for years to establish their all-girls boarding school, and now, with the school flourishing and Karen on the verge of marriage, their lives and loves finally appear secure. However, when malicious student Mary runs away from the school and seeks to avoid being sent back, she draws on hearsay, gossip, and her own imagination, to concoct a story that threatens the school, the marriage, and their entire futures.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 9 February 2011

The two teachers running the private school in New England in Lillian Hellman’s 1934 stage debut, The Children's Hour – an astonishing first play by any standards – are perfectly cast and perfectly played.

Yes, folks, Keira Knightley really does deliver as Karen Wright, from the minute she establishes a strong-willed rather petty vein in punishing the habitual liar, Mary Tilford, who proves to be her nemesis by spreading rumours of lesbianism in the staff room.

Keira’s acquired added stage confidence, though not many extra pounds, since The Misanthrope, and is totally believable as a charismatic teacher and someone with whom her teaching partner, Martha Dobie, might fall just a little bit in love.

The whispering campaign proves a disaster in ways that still shake you, even if you know the marvellous William Wyler movie,  or indeed saw the fine National Theatre 1994 version – the fir...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Gareth James - 6 April 2011:

Another day, another 30′s American drama……and even though it also suffered from a slow first half (is it me? am I getting impatient?) it was a lot better than yesterday’s. Lillian Hellman’s play concerns two female teachers whose lives are ruined after accusations, based on hearsay and lies, that they are lesbian lovers…but it’s really much more than that. Like Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, it is many-layered in its exploration of the wider moral issues. It struck me how nothing has changed in 75 years – we’re still awash with false accusations which by the time they are proved wrong, it’s just too late and we’re still very quick to judge. It also struck me that this was 20 years before Miller’s play, so it must surely have been an influence. Apart from the slowness of the first half (the play rather than the production, I think) Ian Rickson’s direction is masterly and it gripped me more than Howard Davies’ NT’s staging c.17 years ago. The pivotal scene soon after the interval when the teachers visit their accuser is simply terrific. Mark Thompson has designed an elegant space which easily transforms from working school to home to mothballed school and has an intimacy and intensity despite the height he seems so fond of (c/f La Bete at the same theatre last year). I was impressed by the whole ensemble. The six leads – Keira Knightly, Elizabeth Moss, Ellen Burstyn, Carol Kane, Tobias Menzies and Bryony Hannah – were well cast and well matched and it was great to see the West End debut of no less than seven young actresses, of whom Amy Dawson and Lisa Backwell impressed greatly. It was particularly wonderful to see Ellen Burstyn on stage – such presence and such authority; a terrific performance This is no star casting money grab. Though it has and will clearly do well financially, it’s a quality play and production that holds its own up against the other current must-sees – Flare Path, Clybourne Park and Cause Celebre....

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Children's Cancels for Repair, Extends to 7 May Opening: Vernon, Knightley Hour, Heretic, Ordinary Photos: Knightley & Cast Rehearse West End Hour Starry Children's Hour Extends Booking to 30 Apr Burstyn & Kane Join Starry Children's Hour Cast Burstyn & Kane in Frame for Children's Hour??? Dates Confirmed for Moss & Knightley Hour, 9 Feb Knightley & Mad’s Peggy Star in Children’s Hour More»