The wonderful setting of The New Vic Theatre transports the audience back to the 19th century for the latest production, which is a revival of J.M. Barrie’s Quality Street by Northern Broadsides.
The story, set in the Napoleonic war era, follows sisters Phoebe and Susan Throssel who live on Quality Street. Susan and their neighbours, the Willoughby’s (Mary and Fanny), seem to have resigned themselves to being eternal spinsters, however “Phoebe of the ringlets” as she is known, is eagerly awaiting Doctor Valentine Brown to make a proposal. Sadly when she believes the time has finally come, his announcement isn’t one of betrothal, but of his enlisting in the army, leaving imminently.
Returning from Waterloo a decade later, he fails to instantly recognise Phoebe (now a school mistress in glasses and hat) on his return, assisted by sister Susan, she dons a dress, once again lets out her ringlets and passes herself off as a younger non-existent niece Livvy to not only toy with the affections of Doctor Brown who she believes scorned her, but attracts the attention of other officers at the post-war victory balls. Its all set up for high drama with a mixture of farce.
The play starts (and is interlaced) with friendly chat and banter from the Mackintosh/Quality Street factory workers in a nice nod to the origins of the confectioner’s original namesake whose tins featured Major Quality and Miss Sweet to represent Captain Brown and Miss Throssel.
Paula Lane brilliantly plays Phoebe Throssel and has a really good stage presence, transforming from disappointed spinster, to school mistress, flirtatious ‘Livvy’ back to a reformed Phoebe. Paula paired wonderfully with Louisa-May Parker who excellently played shy spinster Susan, whose character you instantly connected with and felt that she was doing the very best to push her sister to be a little braver than she ever was to find love. Both were fantastically funny during the farcical scenes towards the end when the sisters’ plans were starting to unravel.
Jelani D’Aguilar and Alicia McKenzie played Fanny and Mary Willoughby respectively (in addition to two factory workers) and were very entertaining buzzing around as the ever-so-slightly nosy neighbours, who seemed to turn up at the most inopportune moments!.
Aron Julius really carried his role as Captain Valentine Brown very ably and was excellent during the ballroom scenes with ‘Livvy’ and funny during the final farcial act.
Gilly Tompkins as housekeeper Patty (as well as factory worker Barbara) was very funny, with excellent comedy timing and just the right expression or stance raised a chortle from the audience.
Alex Moran and Jamie Smelt were very entertaining as Ensign Blades and Lieutenant Spicer, playing off eachother well during the ballroom scene and were also very funny during the school scenes (no spoilers!).
Alice Imelda completed the ensemble, very confidently playing Charlotte Parratt (as well as factory worker Jo) the young pretender on the scene competing for the attention of the soldiers at the ball. I think we all saw a bit of the sometimes misplaced confidence of youth in ourselves that she portrayed so well in her character
It was very entertaining, witty, funny and was a real feel-good production. Quality in name and quality in nature.
Its great to see this production brought to life, but re-imagined in a way which makes it both appealing for contemporary audiences, whilst retaining all of what makes it a great story. The audience thoroughly enjoyed it and is certainly one to catch whilst you can.
The show is on until 25th March and tickets can be found here
Photo Credit Andrew Billington
