Gripped by this tale of tragic love
Aproduction of Terence Rattigan’s great play The Deep Blue Sea at the Rondo Theatre in Larkhall was thoroughly engaging, highly professional with some great acting in some of the scenes.
The time flew by as the audience at this great little theatre on Bath’s north side was thoroughly immersed in the story of this play written by Rattigan in 1952.
You could hear a pin drop. This production by amateur company the Rondo Theatre Company was masterfully done, with a totally authentic and atmospheric set by designer Lisa Thrower.
It is one one Rattigan’s best plays, beginning unusually with a failed suicide attempt by the main protagonist Hester Collyer, played superbly by Maria Finlay who commanded the stage.
Nadine Comba as busybody landlady Mrs Elton was particularly convincing, playing this pivotal role with humour, mischievousness and superb movement and timing.
She had everyone convinced in the role which is vital to the plot of this post war play.
The Deep Blue Sea is a very sad play, based on Rattigan’s then illegal homosexual relationship with Kenny Morgan, who took his own life during the affair.
Rattigan was deeply disturbed by this and, although a plot involving a homosexual relationship was not acceptable at his time of writing, he makes the character of Hester the victim of unrequited love.
There are so many universal themes in this play, Hester’s unabiding, jealous but tragic love for the dashing RAF hero Freddie Page, played robustly by Tom Turner.
Matt Nation as the hapless and cuckolded husband William Collyer was completely believable in the role as were other cast members Robert
Finlay, Sophie Kerr, Rob Dawson, Tom Turner and Richard Chivers.
Director Andrew Fletcher should be very pleased with this very tidy and totally moving rendition of this great classic by one of our best playwrights.
The Deep Blue Sea was at the Rondo
Theatre until Saturday, November 27.
Look out for future productions by the Rondo Theatre Company by visiting the theatre website at: https:// rondotheatre.co.uk.