The Stables Theatre and Arts Centre
The Bourne, Hastings
East Sussex TN34 3BD
01424 423221
The Bourne, Hastings
East Sussex TN34 3BD
01424 423221
The Life and Adventures of
Nicholas Nickleby
Parts 1 and 2
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by David Edgar
A Stables Theatre production
Directed by Christopher Lacey
with Niall Whitehead and Zoe Morgan
15 December 2009–17 January 2010
Reviewed by Philip Blurton
Nicholas Nickleby
Parts 1 and 2
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by David Edgar
A Stables Theatre production
Directed by Christopher Lacey
with Niall Whitehead and Zoe Morgan
15 December 2009–17 January 2010
Reviewed by Philip Blurton
To conclude its Golden Anniversary year, the Stables Theatre took perhaps the most courageous artistic decision of its fifty year history: staging David Edgar’s two-part adaptation of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Each part had a running time of three hours and required nearly forty Stables actors to dedicate over a quarter of their year to the production. It is also believed to be the first time an amateur group has performed both parts of the play in one day, which was achieved twice across the show’s run.
And did the Stables manage to pull it off? Undoubtedly the answer is yes. Christopher Lacey, the director, had clearly worked tirelessly to pull in many of the theatre’s best actors. Without the abilities of leading players such as Alan Bucksey and Matt Turpin, as Ralph and Nicholas Nickleby, or Kirstie Wilde and Lita Brooker, as Kate and Mrs Nickleby, this mammoth undertaking would surely have floundered. Around these experienced leads, it was a sheer delight to see the many familiar faces of the theatre appearing in various unusual guises as the rags-to-riches life of Nicholas Nickleby unfolded.
We warmed to the brave heart of Newman Noggs (John Turner) striving behind the scenes to support Nicholas against his scheming uncle; we watched appalled at the cruelty of Mr Squeers (Bob Hustwayte), and we laughed at the theatrical bonhomie of Mr Crummles (Peter Mould). Youth members were also to the fore: Harry Banks, as the disabled Smike, remained steadfastly in character throughout, moving many to tears at his tragic demise. Stanley Eldridge, as the young Lord Verisopht, struck exactly the right note as a man led astray by devilry, but with the courage ultimately to address the evil of dastardly Sir Mulberry Hawk (Duncan Brown).
But this was not just a show of individual talents; this was a company piece that demonstrated inspired ensemble acting and creative use of an atmospheric split-level set. The most evocative moments of the show were those where the stage was full with actors working together to create the street scenes of London, the busy public houses or the play within a play of the Crummles’ dreadful but hilarious reworking of Shakespeare’s masterpieces. Bravo to the Stables for giving us this fitting end to the first fifty years of our Old Town Theatre. Roll on the next.
And did the Stables manage to pull it off? Undoubtedly the answer is yes. Christopher Lacey, the director, had clearly worked tirelessly to pull in many of the theatre’s best actors. Without the abilities of leading players such as Alan Bucksey and Matt Turpin, as Ralph and Nicholas Nickleby, or Kirstie Wilde and Lita Brooker, as Kate and Mrs Nickleby, this mammoth undertaking would surely have floundered. Around these experienced leads, it was a sheer delight to see the many familiar faces of the theatre appearing in various unusual guises as the rags-to-riches life of Nicholas Nickleby unfolded.
We warmed to the brave heart of Newman Noggs (John Turner) striving behind the scenes to support Nicholas against his scheming uncle; we watched appalled at the cruelty of Mr Squeers (Bob Hustwayte), and we laughed at the theatrical bonhomie of Mr Crummles (Peter Mould). Youth members were also to the fore: Harry Banks, as the disabled Smike, remained steadfastly in character throughout, moving many to tears at his tragic demise. Stanley Eldridge, as the young Lord Verisopht, struck exactly the right note as a man led astray by devilry, but with the courage ultimately to address the evil of dastardly Sir Mulberry Hawk (Duncan Brown).
But this was not just a show of individual talents; this was a company piece that demonstrated inspired ensemble acting and creative use of an atmospheric split-level set. The most evocative moments of the show were those where the stage was full with actors working together to create the street scenes of London, the busy public houses or the play within a play of the Crummles’ dreadful but hilarious reworking of Shakespeare’s masterpieces. Bravo to the Stables for giving us this fitting end to the first fifty years of our Old Town Theatre. Roll on the next.
Also in this section >
Photographs > www.artypharty.com
A selection of production photographs from the 1950s to the present is available at our photographer Peter Mould’s website.
A selection of production photographs from the 1950s to the present is available at our photographer Peter Mould’s website.
