Reviews

Good Grief (tour – Guildford, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre)

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30 October 2012

There are scores of plays that deal
with death itself; the bloodied solider on the battle field, teenage
suicides and even the odd poisoned chalice. But in Good
Greif Keith Waterhouse deals with the aftermath of death
through the eyes of a widow in suburban London in 1990 – and she deals
with grief in a world of domestic appliances, stroppy stepdaughters
and chance encounters. After June donates her late husband’s suits
to the local Oxfam a strange twist of fate means that she becomes
friends with the man who buys it.

Simon Kenny’s design creates a
sense of emptiness through the house’s high ceilings and separate
levels, while his cleverly concealed pub set provides the intimacy
and warmth June finds comfort in. Tim Mascall’s lighting adds to
this effect as his cold early morning lighting harshly exposes June’s
fragile state of mind. Pop hits from the 90s play during the scene
changes which attempt to create a time setting, but because the set
moves so seamlessly it ultimately becomes distracting and redundant.

Penelope Keith is inspiring in her
role as the recently widowed June. There are no clichés here as she
accurately portrays a strong woman deeply affected by her husband’s
death. With quick comic timing, sharp wit, as well as a powerful
vulnerability, she is dynamic and exciting to watch.

As “The Suit” Christopher
Ravenscroft is sweet and unassuming with lovely flourishes of beaten
down gestures, while Flora Montgomery and Jonathan Firth inhabit
the “me me me” spirit of the 90s in their roles as June’s
stepdaughter Pauline and Eric, a work colleague of June’s late
husband.

Extras are played by other members of
the company which feels a little awkward as they rhubarb their way
through scenes; with a leading lady this strong you don’t
background actors. However Tom Littler has his actors wholly
inhabit this domestic space and Keith treads the carpet as if it
really was her that picked it out from Homebase and has vacuumed it
ever since.

The quick asides, snappy dialogue and
interesting development of Keith’s character make this a very
enjoyable show but it just misses the mark on being amazing.