Somewhat a departure from the traditional theatrical fare of Solihull School, Paul Clarke’s production of Edward Bond’s ‘The Sea’ was certainly a demanding task for the actors involved. It can only be said that they did both themselves and their director proud, demonstrating a maturity and understanding beyond their years, tackling the subject matter and complex emotions with assurance and style.
The opening ‘storm’ scene was particularly powerful: Willy Carson’s (Phin Harper) cries of desperation to save his drowning friend merged with brilliant sound and lighting, so that when he emerged from the top of the auditorium to charge down the steps and land at the feet of the drunken Evens (a masterful Chris Inns), the effect upon the audience was electric.
After such a powerful opening, it was going to take something special to re-focus the audience, but in Frankie Jackson this was clearly found. Marcus de Minckwitz, as the draper Hatch, provided a delightfully obsequious character, showing subtle annoyance at the domineering Louise Rafi (Jackson). Jackson’s control of the stage spoke of her maturity and confidence as an actress destined for great things. Hatch’s decent into madness in the second half was superbly performed by a babbling de Minckwitz, armed with metres of cloth and a pair of scissors.
Perhaps the most enjoyable scenes involved the dark and satirical humour so characteristic of
Bond: the wonderful moments of planning a ‘theatrical masterpiece’ in Louise Rafi’s drawing room, in which a vicar (Will Roden), a dog, and much melodrama blended hilariously, and the later disastrous funeral ceremony, during which the ashes of the deceased are scattered far and wide by hysterical females.
A balance and tenderness was found in the sensitive portrayal of Rose by Meghali Pandey, whose moments of embarrassed romance with Willy were movingly executed. Evens and Willy’s conversation on the meaning(lessness?) of life go to the heart of Bond’s message: the maturity again shown by the young actors in these moments was remarkable.
The wonderful commitment of the entire cast was encapsulated in such performances as Jess Nevin, playing the romantic Jessica, Kelly Townsend as the hysterical Jilly, and Emma Hubble as the practical Mafanwy. Steph Brien, Pip Gibb and Ruth Webster contributed beautifully to the overall sense of community. The team of male ‘workers’ (Ed Leftwich, Alex Carr) with which Hatch surrounds himself in his conviction of an alien invasion provided a great sense of the atmosphere of the maritime village, and deeply understood their characters and purposes – particularly the loyal and indefatigable Hollarcut, played with moving sincerity by Will Shipley.
Louise Rafi’s vindication in the final scene was an example of the understated excellence of both the play and the production, and the minimalist set design fitted perfectly with this to provide a memorable experience for both company and audience.
Mrs R L Lockyer