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This is one of those plays where, as the audience,
you sit like a fly-on-the-wall to quietly observe the lives of those
staying at the Beauregard Private Hotel in 1950's Bournemouth.
A hotel for both residents and casuals, Rattigan's
play look at how the individual each find ways of coping with past
failures or disappointments under the watchful, but not entirely
disinterested, gaze of the hotel's efficient manageress
Miss Cooper.
Is it any good? In a word - yes.
This is a weighty play that sinks or swims on it's
dialogue, with no place for the cast to hide behind frivolous stage
distractions.
The hotel regulars are all wonderful character
parts that have been taken on by the cast with obvious relish.
Strong performances from Richard Crawley as Mr
Malcolm. A man once flushed with the power of politics, status and
a glamorous model for a wife - he's now coming to terms with a crushed
career, an alcohol problem and facing the challenges of once again
trying to find his way in life.
June Garrat is Mrs Railton-Bell, she's the Hyacinth
Bouquet of the Beauregard Hotel with airs and graces that are far
from justified of her station in life.
Miss Meacham confronts Major Pollock with an
embarrassing newspaper item |
A favourite for me was June Kay as the slightly
mad, politically incorrect and gambling mad Miss Meacham. There's
a play in it's own right to be written about this character.
"I'm really enjoying this role," said
June Kay.
"She is a game old girl, determined to ignore
the fact that she is growing old. She still wears colourful clothes,
is passionate about horse racing and has no patience with pompous
intolerant people."
My only criticism is that this production felt
slightly under-rehearsed in readiness for last night's opening.
But this isn't an easy play, it's full of complex characters, challenging
dialogue and is a quite remarkable achievement for all concerned.
Separate Tables runs at the Queen's Hall in Watton
until Saturday 15th March, 2003.
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