CANDIDA. To 31 July.

Tour

CANDIDA
by Bernard Shaw

Oxford Stage Company Tour to 31 July 2004
Runs 1hr 55min One interval
Review Hazel Brown 25 May at Northcott Theatre Exeter

Romance and realism battle it out in this fresh and timely revival.Shaw's play celebrates the 100th anniversary of its first production this year and Oxford Stage Company breathes fresh life into a comedy about the struggle between romance and realism, based in a ménage à trios.

Morrell, played with driven intensity by Andrew Harvill, knows he has the perfect wife, family and home. He is a successful preacher and a leading Christian Socialist, insisting that he and those around him live according to his socialist principles. But he is ignorant of the worlds of art, poetry and emotion. Having welcomed the young poet, Marchbank, into his home, he finds that he has to battle with forces beyond his comprehension to save his marriage.

Around him are people who quietly assist his path through life. His secretary, Proserpine is, in Hattie Ladbury's performance, a straight-talking Londoner who quietly adores him. Lexie, his curate, copies his mannerisms and phraseology and is mocked for it by the bossy Prossie. Even his capitalist father-in-law, Barry Stanton in fine blustering form, arrives to mend a three year quarrel.

Finally there is Candida, his beautiful and accommodating wife, given a serene performance by the aptly named Serena Evans, who is driven to choose between Morrell and poetic young Marchbanks to choose realism or art. This capable and charming woman certainly exercises her power over both men, beautifully emphasised when she gently caresses and sorts out the dishevelled poet and later, using a similar caress, tends to her tired husband.

Jonathan Fensom's set captures the Victorian parsonage to perfection and, with the street sounds, trains, carts, barrel organ, dogs and birdsong, designed by Fergus O'Hare, we feel that there is truly a world outside the action. The production prompts many laughs and makes a delightful and entertaining evening.

Proserpine Garnett: Hattie Ladbury
Reverend James Mavor Morell: Andrew Havill
Reverend Alexander Mill: Jake Harders
Mr Burgess: Barry Stanton
Candida: Serena Evans
Eugene Marchbanks: Richard Glaves

Director: Christopher Luscombe
Designer: Jonathan Fensom
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Sound: Fergus O'Hare

2004-05-26 23:38:37