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A Lark
Green Room Theatre, Dorking
April 19th – 21st 2024
by Ross Clark
Tucked away in Dorking behind Dorking Halls is The Green Room Theatre. This theatre is a gem – staging both amateur and professional theatre. Because of the costs involved in professional theatre production, and the difficulties in finding funding, it has in many ways fallen to AmDram productions to keep provincial theatre alive. Commercial theatre venues are now much given to tribute bands, TV spin-offs and cinema. All enjoyable in their way but not necessarily a shot in the arm for live theatre lovers everywhere.
However, The Green Room also offers professional theatre to a high standard. A good example is their recent production of “A Lark” a new play by Ross Clark. It tells the story of Ursula Vaughan Williams and her developing relationship, and subsequent marriage, to Dorking’s very own Ralph Vaughan Williams. All this despite the near 40 years difference in their ages and the fact that to begin with both were married to other people. This love story is carried through, it appears, with amicable relations being maintained between all three of them.
“A Lark” is a one hander in word and song and tells how this remarkable story unfolds. In the Green Room production Ursula is played by Clara Coslett who trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. This is musical theatre at its best and she has no difficulty in holding audience attention: all eyes are on her. If you ever thought monologue was boring that is not the case here.
Ross Clark’s imaginative script and Clara’s gifted acting and singing draw out the Ursula Vaughan Williams’ story with colour and clarity. The songs catch the romance and passion. The play finishes, of course, with The Lark Ascending. What more could you ask for?
Ross Clark is a national newspaper journalist whose previous musical work includes the White Feather which was shortlisted for the best production of a new musical in the Broadway UK Awards 2015 and also for the best original music in My Theatre Mates Also Recognised Awards 2016.
Co-Produced by Simon Coppen-Gardner and Martin Coslett, directed by Ruth Mestel fans will be keen to see more of Clara Coslett and Ross Clark both at the Green Room not to mention on Shaftsbury Avenue.
Reviewer: David Eaton