STAR QUALITY SHOWS AT PATELEY PLAYHOUSE
Is the dog real? This was the question being asked at each performance of 'Star Quality' by Noel Coward, adapted by Christopher Luscombe, at Pateley Playhouse, directed by Peter Buller. It was a difficult question to answer because the dog lay unmoving in the arms of Jo Jefferson who played Lorraine Barrie, an actress, based quite closely on Coward's lifetime friend, Gertrude Lawrence. A friend who seemed sometimes like an enemy.
Written first as a short story published in 1951, Coward himself turned it into a play. It's theme is the backstage world of theatre complete with all its backstabbings, betrayals and massive egos. None of which apply to the excellent, comradely band which makes up Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society, of course! It's a comedy with the wit and classic one-liners you would expect of a Coward play, but, a comedy with a dark heart.
The 'hapless' hero of this 'memorable tale of theatre folk behaving badly' is Bryan Snow, the author of Dark Heritage, the play within the play, who whilst used and abused by all around him manages to remain an innocent. Played by Ben Derrick, he showed great natural feel for the period, at home with the refined accent and with the complex dialogue. One to watch for the future.
A welcome newcomer to Pateley is Carol Bailey as the actress Marion Blake, unwitting foil to the scheming Lorraine Barrie. Carol's delightful overplaying of her character, with her eager to please neediness, was perfectly judged.
Jerry Harvey was superb as the Director of Dark Heritage, a Machiavelian character with an ability to go for the jugular, but ultimately with a desire to produce the best play possible.
Colin Mannion as Tony Orford, the director's 'Personal Assistant' in every sense of the word, relished every nuance of the part. He's one of those actors you just want to keep on watching.
Nevin Ward took the role of Gerald Wentworth, the jaded old trouper. Nevin's brilliant timing and delivery extracted every ounce of comedy from a character whose tenacious ego was tempered later with a surprising self-knowledge.
In lesser roles, Ruth Dodsworth played Nora Mitchell,
Joyce Liggins gave great support as Laura Whitby.
Stan Appleton and Annie Mannion took the flak as Dark Heritage's crew.
Backstage did the scene changing onstage very successfully and skilfully and sound, lights, costume and sets evoked the period well.
And the star of the show? Jo Jefferson of course, eclipsing all as the temperamental, manipulative leading lady, Lorraine Barrie, ‘demanding, bullying, but despite all that, a radiant, natural actress.' As Ben says in his final speech as the author; what the leading lady has is: 'quality - star quality'.
And, yes the dog is real, name of Millie and she's got star quality too, as far as dogs go.
Ros Wade
[this review appeared in the Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald on Friday 7 November 2008]