READING Repertory Theatre is presenting a double bill of seasonal shows this Christmas following the establishment of its in-house company, The Reading Repertory Company.
Actors Mark Desebrock, Eugene Evans, and Charlotte Warner returned to Reading Rep following appearances as part of the theatre’s 10th anniversary season last year, joined by newcomer Orla O’Sullivan to complete the new company.
While they are taking part in Potted Panto in rotating pairs, all four are on hand for the second festive production, It’s A Wonderful Life.
It is based on the Frank Capra film of the same name from 1946 and adapted by Mary Elliott Nelson, which follows banker George Bailey as spiralling events in his life lead him to suicidal ideation.
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All four of the cast are to be commended on their performances, as each shines individually and as part of an ensemble.
Mark Desebrock portrays George with excellently-observed pathos and a judicious balance of optimistic bravado and internal struggle.
The performance immediately endears the audience to the character, which is, naturally, essential to a story which focuses on the tribulations of a single character.
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Little touches in the performance go a long way to supporting the depiction of a hard-working, community-minded man in mid-century America.
Orla O’Sullivan provides a confident performance of George’s guardian angel, tasked with saving his life to earn her wings, with an ethereal but assured portrayal.
Both Charlotte Warner and Eugene Evans display adaptability, dexterity, and versatility as they portray fifteen different characters with relative ease.
Warner’s portrayal of Aunt Dilly is particularly enjoyable, as is Evans’ portrayal of Henry Potter, which turns up the pantomime villain touches without becoming too overblown or arch.
Stage production has been worked effectively, especially considering it has to be light and versatile due to the hectic schedule of the theatre over the Christmas period.
Transitions into the ethereal realm of the angels are well-crafted and give the production an especially seasonal feeling.
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The first act of the production speeds by in a blur of characters and scenes from George’s early life, but do not dispense with the momentousness or emotional beats on which the rest of the play relies.
Overall, it is a compelling production which captures the spirit of the work on which it’s based, hitting all of the notes one would expect from a classic Christmas show and exemplifying why It’s A Wonderful Life has become a touchstone of the festive season..
It’s A Wonderful Life is showing at Reading Repertory Theatre until Saturday, December 30, including a number of relaxed and reduced capacity performances.
Details and tickets available via: readingrep.com/its-a-wonderful-life/
