Post by marion on Apr 13, 2023 19:30:31 GMT
To Richmond today to see this revival by Northern Broadsides of a 1901 Regency romance by J. M. Barrie. I had never heard of it but research revealed that it was an absolute mega hit which was frequently performed for years then fell from favour. More importantly, they named the chocolates after it!!!! Well that made it irresistible to me.
I think it’s fair to say it is quite a slight piece, although there were puppets, so tick that box. A young woman, Phoebe, sees her beloved Valentine head off to the Napoleonic Wars and no sooner has he gone than she and her sister Susan fall on hard times and have to open a school. Ten years later, he returns and is horrified to see how much older and drained she is, so Phoebe transforms herself into her niece, Livvy, and becomes a tremendous flirt. There is a ball scene where all the dresses are in QS chocolate colours which livened things up. They also had characters representing some of the chocolate workers who were quite funny.
It was enjoyable and well received in Richmond. I didn’t know any of the actors but they were pretty good although I did find Susan rather hard to hear. A pleasant enough excursion, but without the oomph of The Ocean.. I saw yesterday.
I think it’s fair to say it is quite a slight piece, although there were puppets, so tick that box. A young woman, Phoebe, sees her beloved Valentine head off to the Napoleonic Wars and no sooner has he gone than she and her sister Susan fall on hard times and have to open a school. Ten years later, he returns and is horrified to see how much older and drained she is, so Phoebe transforms herself into her niece, Livvy, and becomes a tremendous flirt. There is a ball scene where all the dresses are in QS chocolate colours which livened things up. They also had characters representing some of the chocolate workers who were quite funny.
It was enjoyable and well received in Richmond. I didn’t know any of the actors but they were pretty good although I did find Susan rather hard to hear. A pleasant enough excursion, but without the oomph of The Ocean.. I saw yesterday.
Anymore to come?
