The Winslow Boy
The Winslow Boy by Terence
Rattigan
Reviewed on Monday 6th July 2009 at Milton Keynes Theatre
Stating the bare bones of the plot of the Winslow Boy it might appear rather dry. Based on a true incident, a thirteen year old naval cadet, Ronnie Winslow, is expelled from college for stealing a five-shilling postal order. His father, Arthur Winslow, convinced of his innocence, engages the services of the distinguished lawyer Sir Robert Morton, and enters into a protracted and costly case that ulitmately affects everyone connected with it.
In the real life story, which created an enormous amount of public interest, the case was pursued for purely political reasons but Rattigan developed this fundamental point in his writing so that both Arthur Winslow and Sir Robert Morton are fighting passionately and personally to 'Let right be done', a phrase which is repeated several times throughout the play.
Given the subject matter there are a great number of laughs, even in the darkest moments.
The superb Timothy West as Arthur Winslow has most of the best lines. He is full of scathing wit and sharp retorts that belie his quiet strength and determination to prove his son's innocence. His relationship with his daughter Catherine, a suffragette, who drives him on in the pursuit of the case and is his strongest ally at home, is an interesting bond. Claire Cox plays this strong and practical, yet young and feminine woman brilliantly.
Other support comes in the form of the superb Diane Fletcher as protective mother Grace Winslow, Thomas Howes, as the rather hapless yet utterly charming eldest boy, Dickie Winslow, Sarah Flind as the rather unruly housekeeper, Violet, John Sackville, as Catherine's ultimately unchivalrous fiance, and Roger May as Desmond Curry, the once brilliant cricketer who is deeply in love with Catherine.
It is Adrian Lukis though, in the showcase role of Sir Robert Morton, who is outstanding, striking just the right balance between arrogance and superciliousness and ethical conscience and determination. The cross examination scene between him and Ronne Winslow, played convincingly by Hugh Wyld, is positively frightening. Yet at the very end we see Morton as a fragile, vulnerable man. A stunning perfomance.
Director Stephen Unwin has created a top class production. Simon Higlett's set which remains the same throughout save for clever, effective lighting changes to create different times and atmospheres is elegant.
The triumph though is Rattigan's dialogue, intelligent, sharp, witty and beautifully crafted. This, coupled with the classy and finely detailed performances from all on stage make this a must see production.
and then on tour from 13th to 18th July Churchill Theatre, Bromley. 20th to 25th July Theatre Royal, Brighton.
Reviewed
by Louise Winter on behalf of Catherine Brian
Reviewed on Monday 6th July 2009 at Milton Keynes Theatre
Stating the bare bones of the plot of the Winslow Boy it might appear rather dry. Based on a true incident, a thirteen year old naval cadet, Ronnie Winslow, is expelled from college for stealing a five-shilling postal order. His father, Arthur Winslow, convinced of his innocence, engages the services of the distinguished lawyer Sir Robert Morton, and enters into a protracted and costly case that ulitmately affects everyone connected with it.
In the real life story, which created an enormous amount of public interest, the case was pursued for purely political reasons but Rattigan developed this fundamental point in his writing so that both Arthur Winslow and Sir Robert Morton are fighting passionately and personally to 'Let right be done', a phrase which is repeated several times throughout the play.
Given the subject matter there are a great number of laughs, even in the darkest moments.
The superb Timothy West as Arthur Winslow has most of the best lines. He is full of scathing wit and sharp retorts that belie his quiet strength and determination to prove his son's innocence. His relationship with his daughter Catherine, a suffragette, who drives him on in the pursuit of the case and is his strongest ally at home, is an interesting bond. Claire Cox plays this strong and practical, yet young and feminine woman brilliantly.
Other support comes in the form of the superb Diane Fletcher as protective mother Grace Winslow, Thomas Howes, as the rather hapless yet utterly charming eldest boy, Dickie Winslow, Sarah Flind as the rather unruly housekeeper, Violet, John Sackville, as Catherine's ultimately unchivalrous fiance, and Roger May as Desmond Curry, the once brilliant cricketer who is deeply in love with Catherine.
It is Adrian Lukis though, in the showcase role of Sir Robert Morton, who is outstanding, striking just the right balance between arrogance and superciliousness and ethical conscience and determination. The cross examination scene between him and Ronne Winslow, played convincingly by Hugh Wyld, is positively frightening. Yet at the very end we see Morton as a fragile, vulnerable man. A stunning perfomance.
Director Stephen Unwin has created a top class production. Simon Higlett's set which remains the same throughout save for clever, effective lighting changes to create different times and atmospheres is elegant.
The triumph though is Rattigan's dialogue, intelligent, sharp, witty and beautifully crafted. This, coupled with the classy and finely detailed performances from all on stage make this a must see production.
The Winslow Boy is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 11th July.
Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office: 0844 871 7652 (bkg fee) www.ambassadortickets.com/miltonkeynes.and then on tour from 13th to 18th July Churchill Theatre, Bromley. 20th to 25th July Theatre Royal, Brighton.
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