THE HIRED MAN. To 8 March 2008.

Nottingham/Tour.

THE HIRED MAN
by Melvyn Bragg music by Howard Goodall.
Mon-Sat 8pm Mat Sat 2pm
Lakeside Arts Centre To 29 September then tour to 8 March 2008.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 0115 846 7777
www.lakesidearts.org.uk (Lakeside).
Review: Alan Geary 20 September.

Despite shortcomings, this New Perspectives revival is definitely worth a look.

Without being a tub-thumper, this musical adaptation of Melvyn Bragg’s novel celebrates the common Englishman and woman. Set in Cumbria between 1898 and 1920, it also explores the odd juxtaposition of a traditional rural life with that of a coal-mining community. Then of course there’s the Great War. It’s an undemanding tale, something of a family saga.

Richard Reeday’s strident piano playing and some occasional trumpet sounds from Simon Pontin (he also plays marriage-breaker Jackson) are perfect for the earthy and unpretentious music.

Cumbrian accents are somewhat problematic - during the songs some of the performers lapse into Standard English or even, on at least one occasion, American* - but singing is of a uniformly high standard. In particular, the ensemble number, 'Song of the Hired Men', which begins and ends the evening, is well done. So is the duet 'Fade Away' from John (Richard Colvin) and Emily (Claire Sundin) as the early promise of their marriage seems to be coming to naught.

Some of the men, at least two of whom are physically similar, are insufficiently differentiated, either by way of acting or by costumes, which, incidentally, are nicely authentic. The best dramatic performance comes from Katie Howell, especially in the part of May. Sadly, Lee Foster, as young brother Harry, pulls faces and bounds about the stage as if he’s auditioning for a part in Blue Remembered Hills.

Despite its shortcomings this New Perspectives revival is definitely worth a look.

*not according to the company's press representative - ed.

John: Richard Colvin.
Joe/Harry: Lee Foster.
Sally/May: Katie Howell.
Jackson: Simon Pontin.
Seth: David Stothard.
Emily: Claire Sundin.
Isaac: Stuart Ward.
Pennington: Andrew Wheaton.

Director: Daniel Buckroyd.
Designer: Juliet Shillingford.
Lighting: Mark Dymock.

2007-09-21 17:38:56