THE LOVE CHILD. To 19 December.

Tour

THE LOVE CHILD
by Lavinia Murray from a novella by Edith Olivier

Red Shift on tour to 19 December 2002
Runs 90 min No interval
Review Hazel Brown 1 November at Bridgewater Arts Centre

Haunting and beautiful story that is also a parable for modern women.Lavinia Murray's adaptation of Edith Olivier's haunting tale of needy love is brought to life in a spare, evocative production by Red Shift. Using a wonderfully adaptable small set, an excellent cast of four actors, original music and back-projected images, the 1920's, with its stuffiness and interest in the occult, is vividly recreated.

Dating from early last century, Olivier's story deals with a timeless issue how difficult it is for parents to give children the freedom to move out into the world - and the dilemma for modern women whether to remain childless and independent or to seek a pathway into the future.

To counter the loneliness she is experiencing after the death of her mother, Agatha, a quiet, reclusive spinster who lost her fiancé at the close of WW1, recalls the happy days she spent as a child with her imaginary friend, Clarissa. From Agatha's deep need and love, this imaginary child finally comes to life. In order to explain the girl's sudden appearance in her house, Agatha tells the authorities that Clarissa is her illegitimate love child'. There is a fatal co-dependency between the two and, as the child grows into a woman, Agatha finds it unthinkable to sanction any form of separation.

Emma Bown gives a wonderful performance as Agatha, moving from stiff, upright spinster to a tender and loving companion for her young charge delighting in taking her to the seaside, buying her clothes, teaching her, playing wonderful imaginative games. Equally, Nicola Harrison portrays the fey and slightly sinister charm of Clarissa as she grows from elfin faced girl to fun loving young woman. The more the world, in the form of two bright young things, attracts her, the more desperate and protective Agatha becomes. These two talented actresses are well-supported by Peter Eastland and Rebecca Jenkins, who shine in all the supporting roles.

The set, basically an enormous chest of drawers, turns, twists and flaps open like a Victorian box of secrets to become a library, a hotel lobby and a bed, amongst many other things. There are two curved curtains making up the wings at the side of the stage onto which images are projected and from behind which the characters, ghostlike, emerge. The music is evocative of the period, if a little intrusive at times - it is not always necessary to underline sinister parts of the story with spooky sound.

Agatha: Emma Bown
David/Gardener/Gerald/PC Park/Maitre D'/Shop Assistant: Peter Eastland
Clarissa, Louisa, Jenna: Nicola Harrison
Helen/Nancy/Kitty/Mrs Burns/Miss Marks: Rebecca Jenkins

Director/Lighting: Jonathan Holloway
Designer: Neil Irish
Composer: Jon Nicholls

2002-11-03 12:31:34