Audience Survey comments

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PRESS

It was a full house when I joined the audience for “Hobson’s Choice” by Harold Brighouse at the Electric Theatre, Guildford - the Guildbury’s latest production. Harold Brighouse, a member of the ‘Manchester school of playwrights,’ wrote and produced some seventy plays, mostly set in Lancashire and frequently with gritty, realistic, themes.  “Hobson’s Choice” is arguably his most well known. This is not surprising. It is a strong play that has survived numerous interpretations and pivots around Maggie, ‘thirty years old and a bit on the ripe side for marriage’ and her domineering father, Henry.

The role of Maggie can be heightened to play as ‘charmingly ambitious’ – suggesting a semi-romantic comedy.  More recently, a Chichester Theatre production, with John Savident as Henry, took the script by the scruff-of-its-neck to present a drama of domestic abuse and male patriarchy.  It’s where the directorial emphasis is placed.

Director Colin Orbaum, discovered for this Guildbury production, a middle way.  Laura Sheppard, as Maggie, was feisty but with a self-deprecating sense of self; Ian Nichols, as Henry, blustered and cajoled until he is seen as crushed into a form of compliance.  Both players tackled their roles with conviction.

There is a third and key component. Willie Mossop (Andrew Donovan) is a reluctant ‘love interest’ – but it is Mossop who is the catalyst for Maggie’s ambition and ultimately that of Henry’s submission too. Under Orbaum’s meticulous direction, Donovan offered a well-observed performance that grew plausibly in stature.  The success lay in an unhurried decision to retain Mossop’s diffident beginnings but to carefully mark each step of his journey to successful businessman.  The result was pleasantly believable.

This production offered many satisfying moments; Laura Sheppard’s ‘nervousness’ as she confronted her Father, replicating a tremulous voice that gained in power. Ian Nichols’ body posturing as he sought to dominate the family.  It was, however, the simple tenderness of the proposal scene that remains with me – two chairs upstage with Maggie and Willie facing out.  There could only be one outcome – his bewildered acceptance to her offer of marriage; sensitively directed and beautifully realised.

A cast of twelve played well together. Rachel Greenaway and Jemma Jessup gave effective support as Maggie’s sisters with James Haley and Ian Creese as their enthusiastic suitors. A stylistic period set with good costuming added to the production. 

The final curtain attracted sustained applause from the capacity audience. 

Jeff Thomson - Theatre critic Surrey Advertiser

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

Thank you very much for allowing us to benefit from the recent Guildbury production at Farnham Castle. Please pass on our sincere thanks to everyone who was invoved in ‘The Comedy of Errors’ production and thank them for their hard work on our behalf.We are extremely grateful that you chose to support the Hospice in this way. Your generosity will help us to continue offering the best possible Specialist Palliative Care to individuals facing the end of their life, and to those who love and care for them. Your gift will not only help us with the day to day running costs of the Hospice, but also allow us to maintain and develop the services that we offer here.

AFTER MRS ROCHESTER

'Guildburys is one of Surrey's most adventurous and successful drama groups. An accomplished company brings a fast paced story to life with intelligence and verve"

Surrey Advertiser  'What's On'

Polly Teal’s script for ‘After Mrs Rochester’ is stylistic and frequently surreal.  It is a challenge for any company but was confidently chosen by Guildburys for performance at the Electric Theatre, Guildford.  

‘After Mrs Rochester’ was an ambitious choice for the company and was achieved with merit. The production had pace, atmosphere, and despite its complexity, a useful clarity. Centrally placed was Diane Nichols as the mature and alcoholic Jean Rhys. As Rhys she fragments before our eyes but her performance retained an integrity that anchored the production to the stage as we attempted to make sense of her drunken excesses. Sarah Evans played Rhys as a young woman, trying to make sense of parental abuse, her life and situation. She sustained a believable intensity of emotion that ranged from isolated neglect to hormonal hurricane.

Jeff Thomson - Theatre critic Surrey Advertiser

THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS

Last week the Guildburys returned to Farnham Castle for their annual open air performance. Graham Russell Price, playing the part of Truffaldino had impeccable comic timing. Kathryn Attwood as Beatrice, was brilliant in her role, as was Andrew Donovan in the part of Florindo, who worked perfectly with Truffaldino. Harriet Scopes as Smeraldina, the feisty servant and Phill Griffith as Silvio both encompassed their roles in a way that truly endeared them to the audience. Major praise has to go to the brilliant Graham Russell-Price, who was central to the complete production and didn't falter once. His character had all the wit, charm, honesty and inventiveness needed to keep the audience enthralled throughout.The castle setting too played its part as a backdrop to a simple but effective set. I had no clue what to expect but this performance succeeded - a 'Master of Comic Timing'.

Sarah Hollands. Farnham Herald

'THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR'  From Mike Nevins, Mayor of Guildford

Thank you so much  for all the hard work that you put into your fabulous production of 'The Government Inspector' It was an outstanding one off performance for my charity, made all the more special by the quality of the acting and the humour of the cast. The Mayors and chairmen of the authoriities who supported the event have all said how much they enjoyed it & how appropriate your choice of play was ! Please pass on a big thank you to everyone.

From Emma Cunningham f or and on behalf of the Trustees of the Halow Project

On behalf of the trustees of the Halow Project I would like to thank Guildburys for the generosity in the time they gave to the production at the Electric Theatre on 20th March.  It was a wonderful evening and managed to raise a staggering £1,100.  Thank you once again for you generosity and we will keep you informed on the progress of the project.

The Halow Project Newsletter -  Press release

'PLAYHOUSE CREATURES'

'Doll Common ( Diane Nichols ) began as compelling and developed into a triumph. Gilly Fick as Mrs Betterton brought poignancy to the role of a leading lady. Laura Sheppard was a feisty Mrs Marshall who understands the power of stillness on stage. Andrew Donovan as the drunkard Earl of Rochester gave an observed performance that underscored the vulnerability of the women to danger.'

Jeff Thomson - Theatre critic Surrey Advertiser

'FRANKENSTEIN'

'This production does a tremendous job of bringing Mary Shelley's creation to life. The chorus frequently narrates extracts from Shelley's text, adding gravitas and intensity to the performance, while Damien de Roche is outstanding as Victor.The juxtaposition of the De Laceys' reading 'Genesis' while the creature reads Victor's journal is excellently executed as is the brief rapprochement of Victor and the creature, whilst they quote Milton to one another. The dramatically lit wedding scene is a real highlight, ominous and tense, foreshadowing the inevitable tragedy to come. A gothic classic!'

One 4 Review Fringe press company.

'THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST'

'With not a seat to spare, nor a blade of bank grass in sight, the Guildburys band of faithful followers were out in force. And jolly nice it was too, seeing spectators of all ages devouring a masterpiece.Following the devouring of several cucumber sandwiches by the Bunbury obsessed male leads ( Andrew Donovan and Darran Knight), Gilly Fick made her hoity totiy entrance as Lady Bracknell and lit up the outdoor stage -  Dame Edith Evans eat your handbag! Ian Nichols clearly relished his role as confused cleric Dr Chasuble and the confused love interests were in the shape of Laura Sheppard ( Gwendoline Fairfax ) and the impressive Maria Fernandez ( Cecily Cardew). Happily they have left their mark on Farnham and no doubt next year's production will be as warmly received.'

Peter Carline. Farnham Herald

'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING'

'My grand-daughter Rosemary and I enjoyed the production enormously last night. Not only was the production wonderful but Rosemary and I were so impressed with the kindness shown to us.I must let you know how much we admired the cast.It would give me great pleasure to be invited next July.'

Gillian Beel (Deputy Mayor of Farnham)

Graphic design Phillip Griffith
E-mail: phill.griffith@googlemail.com