Midlife Crisis Theatre Company Manchester

The phrase or subtitle adopted by Midlife Crisis Theatre Company for their November showing - “Love never changes, though time marches on” is definitely threaded through the whole production, from the projection at the start, the set design, costume and music choices and weaved through the entire tenet behind the show.

Director Fran Horwich hooked onto this theme and decided to base the whole design around it – and it was an inspired decision, helped massively by the fact that it seems everyone else involved bought into it whole heartedly too. When We Are Married could seem a tad stuffy or an old-fashioned period piece but as Midlife’s production proves, it doesn’t have to be. The themes are bang up to date and the relationships and navigation of the varying waters of marriage are still so relevant today. The humour and script also still pack a punch and had the audience in fits in places, partly because of Priestley’s talents but partly because it was handled correctly.

The audience was greeted by an open set, which was a nice warm up to the show, as it was as good as a pre-show quiz, to spot the eras. Each piece of furniture or furnishing had been chosen carefully to reflect a particular era. Intriguing. The show opened with a projection of couples on their wedding day, spanning decades – from Victorian to modern day. The audience began to understand the design vehicle and when each set of characters entered in costumes from different eras and to a soundtrack and dance motif to suit, they fully got the idea and started to look forward to the next entrance! The young lovers were 1920s, the older leads decked out in 1950s outfits, the “other woman” bright 80s. Great fun.

Ruby Birtle played by Demi Franks and Mrs Northrop played by Suzy Gellman are insolence personified but in different ways. Both actresses were beautifully relaxed on stage and played the hard done by “help” brilliantly. Well done.

The comedy duo of the journalist, Fred(a) Dyson and photographer, Henry Ormanroyd played by Deborah Loofe and Peter Kaye respectively, complemented each other superbly. Deborah’s interpretation was wonderful and ‘knowing’ and Peter’s barfly photographer, full of pathos and world weary, was delightful.

Louis Landes and Sarah Adams gave us the young lovers, Gerald Forbes and Nancy Holmes. Louis was an affable Gerald, young and reckless but subservient at the start, he transitioned nicely into the enlightened, amused and philosophical Gerald as the plot progressed. Sarah was a delightful Nancy, youthful exuberance emanated from her, yet she was still played with a spark of revolt! Congratulations.

There were a couple of lovely turns by Barbra Cousins and Stuart Ailion as Lottie Grady, the would-be mistress of the man of the house, (Joseph Helliwell) and the Rev Clement Mercer, whose presence fuels the humour further, particularly in his exchange with Mrs Northrop. Barbra’s Lottie brought a shot of colour and hilarity to the proceedings.

The three leading couples, Russel Weisberg as Alderman Joseph Helliwell, Gill Cooper as his wife, Maria Helliwell, Robert Levy as Councillor Albert Parker, Lindsey Landes as Annie Parker, Phil Geller as Herbert Soppitt and Katherine Thomas-Wilson as Clara Soppitt were absolutely wonderful. Each understood the characters, their situations, and the approach to humour this piece needed. The pace was great and the pauses and looks were integral to the success of their scenes. They worked excellently together, and the juxtaposition of personality types worked magnificently and not one performer pulled focus or over played, which is commendable and a testament to the great team they were. Particular mention has to go to Russel Weisberg whose Alderman Joseph Helliwell had echoes of Eric Morecombe in a pompous role and Lindsey Landes as the obedient Annie Parker who gained stature and confidence as the plot unwound. The interpretation of this character was very clever. Lindsey played the docile and put-upon wife brilliantly without making her a victim, it was a definite choice by her, but when the situation changed, we saw the self-assured nature which was always lurking. Good job!

What a great venue and an entertaining and funny evening. Thank you all.

Author: Steph Niland