Theatre Royal Brighton | until 15th October
A Room With A View
Theatre Royal Brighton
until 15/10/2016
Based on E.M Forster’s well known novel, this latest touring production directed by Adrian Noble tells a story through the lens of several different actors.
Set in both Italy and Surrey, A Room with a View is a story of two halves. Unfortunately the first act was stilted and the characters took a while to warm to. Lucy Honeychurch, played by Lauren Coe, makes her touring debut with this production and carries the story of her travels to Italy with her cousin, Charlotte Bartlett, played by star attraction and no stranger to period plays of this kind, Felicity Kendal.
The relationship between the two women took a while to develop although this may reflect the political tension Charlotte feels being demonstrated through political correctness and fear of socialism. However, as her character develops she becomes true to her own convictions of love and acceptance.
The Emersons, Mr Emerson and his son George, played by Jeff Rawle and Tom Morley, who offer to swap rooms with Lucy and Charlotte over a breakfast meeting, develop quickly and keep the cultural and political theme of this play on track throughout. Whereas Signora Bertolini (Abigail McKern) adds a refreshing light character to the first scene her observations become crucial to the emotional storyline.
The set is brilliantly simple and cleverly used to view into and out of a room, with a view being projected onto the stage to set the Italian or Surrey scenes.
The second act seemed to flow more seamlessly that the first and the standout character was Freddy Honeychurch played confidently and in a relaxed manner by Jack Loxton, he brought the interaction between the characters together as the story between Lucy, Cecil and George develops.
Hilariously sharing some nudity, which brought giggles to the audience as Rev. Eager (David Killick) joined in the bathing frolics added some light entertainment to what is a play with a deeper political and social undertone.
Although there is no disputing it’s professional and high quality performance and direction unfortunately I found the production wasn’t very captiviting or engaging which is indeed a great pity.
Reviewer : Julie Warwick.
Photos : Nobby Clark
The tour is currently at Brighton Theatre Royal until Saturday 15th October.