• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides

The Roundabout at the Park Theatre

August 29, 2016 by Paul Hegarty Leave a Comment

Review of: The Roundabout at the Park Theatre
Produced by:
Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Other Cheek and Park Theatre
Price:
£18.5 - £29.5

Reviewed by: Paul Hegarty
Rating:
3
On August 29, 2016
Last modified:August 29, 2016

Summary:

Priestly had good reason to leave The Roundabout on the shelf, and, although it is interesting to see how the kernel of some ideas, situations and characters here float between the various characters, similar themes are more successfully expressed in his other plays.

More Details

The Park Theatre in Finsbury Park was buzzing on the opening night of The Roundabout by J P Priestly. The venue is an exciting space with an eclectic programme and so it is no surprise they reach to the lesser known works of a major playwright like J B Priestly. The Roundabout, a Priestly play recently rediscovered, has been on the shelf for many years having been written specifically for the acclaimed actress Peggy Ashcroft, here revived . After a few early performances it seems to have gathered dust and never managed to stand the test of time – frankly one can see why.

The plot unfolds in a rather grand, if crumbling mansion house, with its owner Lord Kettlewell struggling not only to manage his finances in the unstable 1930s, but also his family relationships, which seem in disarray.

the-roundabout (1)

He is unexpectedly presented with the arrival of his estranged daughter, Pamela, played with delightful gusto by Bessie Carter, not to mention a surprise visit from his ex-wife, along with a range of characters ‘down from town’. Pamela, arriving in her boots and beret boasting a look of the preliterate, brings with her a fellow comrade both of whom have newly returned from Russia. The flirtation of the rich and privileged with communism certainly has some comic mileage, as Lady Knightsbridge so crisply asks – ‘is there money in it?’ This lot certainly have a whiff of the changing times and they want to be on the right side of success but are savvy enough to appreciate the bigger picture – ‘communism is ok for a young gentleman, you’ll grow out of it’ –  there is, after all, heritage and entitlement to maintain.

Priestly explores the issue of class and changing social aspirations but it is a lightweight piece that fails to capture the political energy so evident in the likes of An Inspector Calls, lacking also the deep sense of intrigue that made his more prominent piece so successful.

In spite some shaky and disengaged moments however, this drawing room comedy rattled along with some splendid delivery from the likes of Richenda Carey as Lady Knightsbridge, who annunciated established ideas with suitable aplomb, while at the same time keeping an eye open for the aspiring butler, Parsons, with whom she shares a love of gambling.

Scenes move quickly and slickly on an open set, stylishly designed by Polly Sullivan, delightfully costumed by Holly Rose Henshaw. Banquettes surrounded a central dais and with a period settee centre stage. The director, Hugh Ross, is able to capture the essence of the roundabout action of social characters and mores as the characters take temporary focus on the settee only to move around and off swiftly. What comes around goes round and in the end there is little change.

greenshirt-xlarge_trans++RdPLSElEmrKaK7hcQaxOdJPWc13DmzcNdjVAluV1jiA

With his old Etonian connections, Brian Protheroe is suitably bewildered as Lord Kettlewell with these changing economic and political times and seems only too happy to reconcile his marriage to Lady Kettlewell (the delightful Lisa Bowerman who captured much of the wit and charm of Priestly).

You very much get the feeling the status quo will not change as the same old attitudes seem so embedded, ably demonstrated by the stylized delivery of the frightfully posh Gurney and the new northern prole on the block, Straggles, as they jostle ideas about status and opportunity to some amusing affect. Straggles is not even given a first name but he is able to vent opinions and with a degree of vitriol. If Priestley suggests there may be room for new ideas to emerge he disappointingly bails out at the end, with the implication that young Staggles is seemingly taking to the high life. This is where the play seems weaker than Priestley’s other polemical work and it only serves as an amusing drawing room comedy where character and situation appear rather thin. Were it not for the deft direction, attractive staging and the energetic and dynamic performances of Carey and Bessie Carter, in particular, the play would be rather flat and uninteresting.

Priestly had good reason to leave this play on the shelf, and, although it is interesting to see how the kernel of some ideas, situations and characters here float between the various characters, similar themes are more successfully expressed in his other plays.

The play runs at the Park 24thAug-24th Sept.

 

 

Author: Paul HegartyPaul is a reviewer and an experienced actor who has performed extensively in the West End (Olivier nominated) and has worked in TV, radio and a range of provincial theatres. He is also a speech, drama and communications examiner for Trinity College London, having directed productions for both students and professionals and if not busy with all that he is then a teacher of English.

Filed Under: Review

Join the discussion Cancel reply

NEWS / Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced

Coming to Sadler’s Wells in September as part of its world tour, A Night At The Kabuki is a retelling [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Paul O’Donnell talks about Shoot Festival

Shoot Festival returns this year with a mix of commissioned pieces and showcases of the best of Coventry’s arts scene. [Read More]

Review / The Man who Knew Too Much at Omnibus Theatre

A packed Omnibus Theatre lapped up the entertaining antics of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Co-Director and Co-writer Olivia [Read More]

Spotlight / Inua Ellams at 05Fest Lewisham

Inua Ellams, the Albany and WE ARE LEWISHAM  presents………. 05Fest, 10 – 19 March Poetry takes front and centre stage [Read More]

Review / Eng-er-land at the Alleyn Theatre

This new play, Eng-er-land  kicked off a UK tour with its opening performance in the Alleyn Theatre at Dulwich College [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • A Streetcar Named Desire- A cry of pain- Young Vic
  • Katy Owen: Auditioning for Oxford School of Drama
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Paul Hegarty in conversation with INK Festival,East Anglia
  • Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced
  • After All This- Ovalhouse
  • How to Applying for Arts Grants and Funding
  • The Cherry Orchard- a translation for modern times and a modern audience? The Young Vic
  • Paul Hegarty
    Contributor

  • August 29th, 2016
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook4TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!