UK Theatre Network

I wasn’t the great actress I thought I was going to be.

English Touring Theatre and Royal & Derngate, Northampton present J.B. Priestley’s Eden End directed by the highly talented Laurie Sansom whose credits include the excellent productions Beyond the Horizon and Spring Storm  and lately The Holy Rosenbergs at the National Theatre.

Written in 1934 but set in 1912, this rather Chekhovian play exposes the fissures in the lives of a respectable Northern family and their search for happiness. Priestley looks back at an Edwardian age of innocence before the start of the First World War when people were still expecting a better life.

Stella Kirby left home nine years ago to pursue her dream of becoming a celebrated actress. Sadly, her ambition has been left unfulfilled and after years of mediocre productions and dingy dressing rooms she has decided to return to the warmth of her childhood home – Eden End. The prodigal daughter is welcomed by her ageing father, a country doctor, her brother Wilfred, on leave from his position with a British company in Nigeria, and the housekeeper Sarah. Stella’s younger sister Lilian is not pleased with the unexpected visitor who she considers a threat to her authority as head of the household and a rival for the attention of the gallant Geoffrey Farrant. After their mother’s death Lilian has decided to sacrifice herself by staying with their ageing father taking over the role of their late mother – which is even reflected in the way she dresses. Resentful and envious of her older sister Lilian plans to make Stella’s visit a short one.

Laurie Sansom adds expressionism and music hall to this very Edwardian drawing room drama. The backdrop of the set (design by Sara Perks) resembles a theatre. In the opening scene we see Stella (Charlotte Emmersen) performing and being applauded. This scene has an unreal, almost magical quality and is followed by a quiet scene introducing us to Stella’s frustrated sister Lilian (Daisy Douglas) and the boyish Wilfred Kirby (Nick Hendrix) who shares Stella’s love for the theatre. The first half of the play is rather slow but the pace picks up speed in the second half with a cliffhanger right before the interval.  

The acting is very good throughout. Nick Hendrix who has just graduated from RADA is outstanding in his professional debut. His drunken scene with the energetic Daniel Betts who plays the actor Charles Appleby is absolutely delightful. William Chubb conveys Doctor Kirby’s vulnerability and strength, a very touching performance. Carol Macready is the warm, caring housekeeper Sarah, Stella’s confidante. Daisy Douglas’s dour Lilian is a good contrast to Charlotte Emmersen’s interpretation of Stella.   

 Until 9 July at the Richmond Theatre, then touring.

Richmond Theatre
The Green
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 1QJ

Box Office
0844 871 7651

http://www.ambassadortickets.com/2445/659/Richmond/Richmond-Theatre/Eden-End-Tickets

• 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2011 
  Oxford Playhouse
  Oxford
• 19 Jul - 23 Jul 2011 
  Cambridge Arts Theatre
  Cambridge