Directed by Joe Meighan, ‘Our Town’ is written by American playwright and Pulitzer Prize winner, Thornton Wilder and is performed at The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse this week.
The Garrick are a very exciting company to watch and with an impressive three acts to the play, ‘Our Town’ is no exception. The story is set in the fictional ‘Grover’s Corners’, New Hampshire and takes place between 1901 and 1913. Despite the era, the entire feel of this story is that it is entirely relatable, focussing essentially on life and death (and all the key moments in between) with reference to the people who live here. It follows the love story of neighbours George Gibbs (Luke Grewer) and Emily Webb (Lauren Robinson) but is actually about so much more.
Opening up 10 minutes prior to the main cast appear on stage the ‘Stage Manager’ and also Narrator (Beverley Stuart-Cole) appears. With 36 years at the Garrick under her belt, her variety of previous roles enable her to narrate effortlessly, engaging fully with the audience throughout the entire production.
There were many excellent performances but a stand out performance by Chris Shoop-Worrall must be acknowledged. He plays the part of ‘Professor Willard’ who works at the State University and also the role of ‘Simon Stimpson,’ the town’s choir leader and organist. A fabulous presence on stage he displayed charisma in abundance. With clear versatility he would be a welcome addition to a variety of roles.
Mrs Julia Gibbs is played by Jacque Hamilton and her experience of performing in many previous productions is apparent. A genteel, respectable pillar of the town, her performance was engaging and her dutiful role of being the Doctors wife was well executed- passive in the part she played but passionate about her desire to travel and demonstrated to the audience that this was as much for her as it was for her Husband.
The interaction in the romance between Emily (Lauren Robinson) and George (Luke Grewer) was very believable on stage thanks to the two excellent actors. Both were wonderfully awkward in the portrayal of their childhood romance and Robinson’s passionate dialogue in act three was powerful to watch when she looked back on her life after her death. She spoke to the audience in an eerily personal way that was captivating to watch.
The set was simple, intentionally so and throughout it was up to the audience to imagine many pieces on stage, including the flowers and their smell, the newspaper being delivered and the noise of milk bottles to name a few. The lack of scenery is an important aspect of the production as it allowed the audience to focus on the key elements to be observed- imagination was key and it could almost be designed this way in order to provide the audience with an opportunity to have their personal versions of Grover’s Corners and relate it to their own community.
The final act of the play – ‘Death and Eternity’, is perhaps the most impactful on the audience- the simple arrangement of the chairs that become gravestones is actually quite beautiful as a visual on stage. The narrative of the deceased was poignant to watch and provided a suitable summary to the production.
The story of ‘Our Town’ is far from earth shattering and certainly contains no shocks or surprises but it was never intended to do this. Instead, it delivers a charming story and provides a tender, fleeting glance of a community. It is extremely relevant to today’s society and provides much food for thought, allowing the audience to ponder after the final curtain. In some ways it highlights life passing by so quickly but in others it delivers a message, if we choose to take it, about living in the moment as much as we can.
This play is as powerful and as meaningful as you want it to be.
‘Our Town’ can be seen at The Altrincham Garrick until Saturday 13th May and tickets can be purchased from https://www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/ or via the box office on 0161 928 1677
Reviewer: Angela Kelly
Reviewed: 8th May 2023
North West End UK Rating: