News feed

Review

Separate Tables, P&P Players, Barrington Theatre, Ferndown

THIS was one of those occasions when the gorgeously dressed set, clearly visible to the audience as they walked into the auditorium, showed the promise of what was to come.

Small tables, all with pristine white cloths and flower arrangements, looked exactly what I would imagine the dining room of the small private Hotel Beauregarde to be, as did the later lounge set – and a word of praise for the efficient scene changes that barely held up the action.

Pat Donovan’s production really caught the spirit of the mundane lives of the seemingly genteel residents such as the glamorous Mrs Shankland, the gone-to-seed Mr Malcolm or the disgraced Major Pollock. Her entire cast did her proud with lovely, believable characterisations but there were two performances that were, to my mind, absolutely outstanding.

David Beddard not only has the looks of a matinee idol but played the part of the young trainee doctor, Mr Stratton, absolutely superbly. And Jean Dishington was truly heart-rending as spinster Miss Railton-Bell, almost reducing me to tears.

Plaudits must also go to Tommy Egerton, taking on the role of Mrs Railton-Bell at just a couple of days’ notice so reading from the script - yet giving a beautifully measured performance.   

Linda Kirkman

return to review index