Dangerous Corner (Tour – Birmingham)

J.B.Priestley’s debut play Dangerous Corner continues its current tour by stopping at the Birmingham Rep this week. Following an evening of jollity, a chance remark lets to a series of revelations with massive consequences which in turn sends the play back to the beginning and the audience is treated to a what if style ending.

Finty Williams and Kim Thomson both give fantastic performances as Freda Caplan and Olwen Peel respectively. They relish each reveal and portray all the emotions their characters experience. These highly believable performances are a highlight of the production. Lauren Drummond as Betty Whitehouse starts of mousy and quiet but she too has her own revelations that brings her out her shell. However the male cast were less impressive.

Although Colin Buchanan has a clear presence on stage I struggled to find any connection with him as Freda’s husband Robert Caplan, and Michael Praed’s classic film star style delivery while playing Charles Stanton wore thin very early on, as well as Matt Milne’s overly awkward performance as Gordon Whitehouse.

Michael Attenborough’s production is stunningly designed by Gary McCann. The set, a drawing room is beautifully recreated on stage full of lavish wooden panels and art deco details. It does cause the lighting to sometimes be dimmer than desired for the audience when characters are in the corners however.

The play is an exciting revelation after revelation, and although most are predictable as the play continues, each adds another layer to the story being told. An Inspector Calls may be Priestley’s most famous play, but Dangerous Corner should be respected just as much.