The latest production at New Vic brings to life the 1964 Frank Marcus play ‘The Killing Of Sister George’. Itself converted to a 1968 film famously starring Beryl Reid, it tells the tale of June Buckridge, who plays mild-mannered district nurse ‘Sister George’ on a radio show called ‘Applehurst’.
In stark contrast to her wholesome, hymn-singing character, June is forthright, frequently drunk, smoking cigars and lives with her lover, Alice ‘Childie’ McNaught. Deeply paranoid about her status on the show, she almost self-sabotages both her personal and professional relationships, violent and bullying with Alice, unruly at work and culminates with an unsavoury incident in a taxi. She ultimately learns of ‘Sister George’s’ impending axe from the show by her producer, Mrs Mercy Croft, in a traffic accident on her characters beloved motor-scooter and further descends into chaos.
Bonding with Alice over her domestic situation, which includes June often humiliating Alice in front of guests, Mercy Croft’s intentions towards her are themselves questionable. June’s life seems to be coming apart at the seams with only the neighbour, clairvoyant Madame Xenia, seeming to overlook her behaviour, but she too warns of impending doom.
Hayley Carmichael wonderfully plays June Buckridge, portraying her unsavoury personality traits, swinging in a pendulum fashion from paranoia, anger, violence, bullying and self-pity.
Ada Player is fantastic as the child-like Alice McNaught. Her mannerisms and stage presence always in step with the character.
Patrycja Kujawska equally great as Mercy Croft, her visible quiet-disdain for June and her increasing warmth for Alice. She also brought much to the production with her grand entrance into ‘Sister George’s’ funeral (no spoilers) and musical accompaniment on the violin.
Rina Fatania was brilliantly funny as Madame Xenia. Again capturing the essence of the character, but also bringing the physical humour into it and was really great to see how the reading of the condolence telegrams was done (no spoilers).
‘Told by an Idiot’ also made a very welcomed and ingenious addition to the play with the addition of a foley and live sound effects. It both complimented the action, but also was a source of amusement a number of times in the production.
The set was extremely well adorned and used with the spiral staircase in the middle as well as the very small but intricate touches, for example, Alice’s dolls all wore veils to ‘Sister George’s’ funeral scene. This wasn’t explicitly referenced, but didn’t go unnoticed.
The play at the time of release in 1964 was ground breaking in a number of its subject matters. Its darkly humorous and it intersperses funny moments within the shocking behaviours of June, the wily nature of Mercy and the pathos for Alice. It never drags you down one emotion for too long. Certainly the additions and alterations that ‘Told by and Idiot’ makes only serves to compliment the production well.
Its a really well produced and told production, with creative additions, lovely use of the stage/set and excellently acted. The show is running until 13th May with a number of matinee performances. Details can be found here https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/the-killing-of-sister-george/
Photo credit: Andrew Billington
