Synopsis:
Child handicap, and the effects which it can have on parents, family and friends, may not seem the most cheerful of subjects for a play. But the tragedy in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg is at once sharpened and counteracted by liberal doses of heart-warming comedy.
This is theatre at its intelligent, witty best - a play which contrives to entertain and instruct in equal measure.
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Review:
by Lyn Richell
Peter Nichols' play manages to be both thought-provoking and funny, while remaining totally natural throughout and credit must go to Jack Snell for his handling of such a delicate subject.
Steve Watton and Denise King as husband and wife, Brian and Sheila were exceptionally moving in their depiction of the parents of a spastic child.
Steve Watton was hilarious, particularly at the start of the play when he treats the audience as if they were his class of schoolchildren. He was also excellent at playing the various people that the couple meet in their attempts to reconcile themselves to their plight. These included two incompetent and heartless doctors, both terrifyingly believable and a vicar amongst others. He was most definitely the star of the show.
Betty-Jo Miller as Pam played the bored upper class housewife to perfection and Steve Jones as her husband Freddie made a credible attempt at the part.
Brian’s mum Grace (Virginia Harrington) was excellent and I think the whole audience sympathised with Brian and Sheila. Well done to Chloe Bovingdon for her stillness.
The play advances to a very moving, if sad end, played with absolute conviction. The whole cast worked extremely well together making this theatre at its intelligent and witty best. |
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