UK Theatre Network

THE YORK REALIST                             RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

Their could be no better 70th birthday present for Peter Gill, founder and director of the Riverside Studios, than this superb revival of his 2001 Oliver-nominated play, The York Realist. This tribute is also a gift for the audience too.

It’s 1961 and George is part of a dying breed of traditional farmers, living in a rural farm on the Dales. He is a down to earth bloke whose world is turned upside down when he falls in love with John, the assistant director of The York Mystery Plays for which he is rehearsing for. He is torn with leaving his mother, and the possibility of marriage to local lass Doreen, for an illegal affair with another man (homosexuality was not decriminalised until 1967), and a career as an actor in London. But when his mother dies, and he is free to pursue his own pathway, the realist in him makes him doubt his ability follow his true desires.

Gill’s play is an observant piece about vanishing country life and the arising new moral dilemma’s of a changing society. The language is warm, realistic and endearing, and Elspeth Morrison’s dialect coaching is spot-on for the colloquialisms of  the period. The writing does however seem to lack depth when developing the major themes of the play.

Kate Guiness’s cottage  set is delightfully detailed right down to the old cooker and sink and Victorian ornaments, and with this production Adam Spreadbury- Maher proves yet again to be one of the most outstanding director’s on the fringe.

The play is excellently cast, with notable performances by Stephen Hagan as George, and Stephanie Fayerman as his mother. There is also superb comic character acting  from Sarah Waddell as Doreen, the ever present neighbour and George admirer.

With The York Realist, Good Night Out Productions goes from strength to strength.  This is a treat not to be missed.

OLIVER VALENTINE
The York Realist runs until 11 October at the Riverside Studios. Tickets: £14 (£12 concessions