Trio retell Austen classic
●●NORTHANGER Abbey - Octagon Bolton REVIEW: HILARY DAWES
After the comic depiction of Catherine’s birth, and witnessing her progression into womanhood, we find Catherine, at 17 years old, invited to spend time in Bath with her aunt and uncle, the Allens, and her wish for balls and parties begins to be fulfilled.
At one such gathering she meets Isabella (Iz).
A closeness develops between them and whilst Jane Austen’s heroine delights in finding a new best friend, Zoe Cooper shows us a developing attachment, turning to implicit sexual attraction, although only a kiss is seen here.
The action moves at an energetic pace, whilst the play is a re-imagining of the Austen novel, it might be helpful to already have an idea of the original plot. A talented cast of
three actors manage to portray every character.
Whilst Rebecca Banatvala sticks mainly to the role of wide-eyed ingenue Catherine Morland, AK Golding, as the attractive and worldly-wise Iz, also gives credible performances of Catherine’s father, her uncle Mr Allen and General Tilney. Sam Newton plays Henry Tilney and Iz’s unsavoury brother John Thorpe and gives a hilarious portrayal of Mrs Morland enacting
Catherine’s difficult birth, as well as playing Mrs Allen and Henry’s sister Ellie, a role he relishes.
Designer Hannah Sibai’s minimal set uses very few props, with piled up trunks serving as carriages, a table doubling as a bed, and Catherine’s wonder at the sight of Northanger Abbey being witnessed as a model of the abbey, while a chandelier evokes the grand decor and atmosphere of the Bath venues.