POOR MRS PEPYS. To 17 June.
Newcastle-undr-Lyme
POOR MRS PEPYS
by Vanessa Brooks
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire. www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Runs: 2hrs 15min. Interval: 20 minutes. Box office 01782 717962 runs until Saturday 17th June 2006.
Ranjit Khutan: 2nd June 2006
Surprises revealed in the diary, not of, but about the famous diarist
Elizabeth Pepys is the shrewd, sensitive, but much-mistreated wife of Samuel Pepys – the famous diarist. Following a two year separation she returns to her husband’s side, and as they move up in the world she puts up with his affairs and dodges the political intrigue that surround her short life. Middle aged at twenty five she longs for the child that Samuel refuses to give her, and conceals a secret that could destroy them both. Elizabeth is keeping quiet for now; she has been keeping her own diary – a log of events during 14 years within the Pepys household.
Vanessa Brooks’s play is based on material from Samuel Pepys diary and draws on rich metaphors and double meanings pinpointed by the characters sharp direct jibes to each other. Language is used to create a fun, gritty, diseased and dirt ridden picture of London in the 1600’s as are the costumes, the set and lewd sexual scenes which are in keeping with this restoration drama.
The play includes the famous events of the plague and the great fire of London, but at its heart, this is the moving story of a tempestuous marriage and one woman’s struggle to be herself in an often brutal world. Poly Frane’s Elizabeth Pepys is a strong, endearing and likeable young woman. Quietly suffering the lack of attention from her husband she regains her power through her diary. Thomas Arnold plays her comical and pitiable husband - Samuel Pepys. Driven by success and his own self importance he is oblivious to Elizabeth’s needs. His strings are pulled by Shuna Snow’s Lady Montague - the dominatrix who’s high pitched forceful shrill would send shivers down the spine of any man. The fun leads to a climax which is both emotional and unexpected.
Samuel Pepys: Thomas Arnold
Paulina Pepys/ Deb Willetts: Polly Conway
Balthazar/ John Jackson: Tim Daish
Elizabeth Pepys: Polly Frane
Lady Montague: Shuna Snow
Lord Montague/ Dr Hollier/ Uncle Wight: Keith Woodason
Director: Heather Davies
Designer: Lis Evans
Lighting Designer: Daniella Beattie
Sound design: James Earl-Davis
Fight Director: Kate Waters
Voice Coach: Mark Langley
Company Stage Manager: Andy Billington
Deputy Stage Manager: Struan Sewell
Assistant Stage Manager: Imogen Ensoll
2006-06-06 14:53:34