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It's
the start of the 20th century and England is poised to go to war.
But the general public are obsessed with whether a 13-year-old boy
stole a 5 shilling postal order.
The
plot behind Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy, which is based on
a true story, is just as poignant today. As Bush debates what
steps to take for world peace, the public are talking about Romeo
Beckham.
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| Ronnie
(Daniel Sharman) - The Winslow Boy - and father, Arthur (Edward
Fox) |
The
play may not be everyone's cup of tea - the drama is very 'old-fashioned'
and traditional, but the acting is superb.
Edward
Fox leads the way as the father determined to fight for justice
for his misused son, Ronnie (Daniel Sharman).
He
draws the crippled man, deteriorating through time, with great poise
and professionalism. Arthur Winslow is a sympathetic character,
portrayed with warmth and Edward Fox delivers some of the best lines
in the play. His repartee with fellow cast members - particularly
elder son Dickie (James Schlesinger) - brought light relief to the
serious play.
Young
Ronnie is a key figure in all the drama and Daniel Sharman plays
the youngster with confidence but still showing the necessary vulnerability
of the part.
The
tempo steps up after the interval as the fight for justice climaxes
and a highlight of the play is maid Violet's (Ann Penfold) long
ecstatic monologue which drew spontaneous applause from the audience.
Simon
Ward adds flair and action
to the piece as the legal eagle Sir Robert Morton - with some underlying
flirting between him and Catherine Winslow (Lucy Akhurst) leaving
questions hanging at the end of the play.
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| Arthur
Winslow (Edward Fox) and his wife, Grace (Polly Adams) |
Polly
Adams - best known as Beryl in The Liver Birds - was Grace, the
caring mother stuck in the middle between wanting the best for her
son and wanting to keep her family together. She played the part
with dignity and excitement as the case came to court.
It's
not a fast-moving action-packed drama with laughs or tears, but
it is good-old fashioned quality drama, served up on a super set
and with Edward Fox and Simon Ward's tremendous acting ability making
it an enjoyable experience.
Rattigan's
play examined many of the social issues of the time with feminist
Catherine considering a loveless marriage in order to survive financially
despite working for the suffragette movement - themes which are
just as relevant today.
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