Wokingham Theatre celebrated their prestigious new patron, Olivier award winner Jessica Swale, by staging a knockout performance of the play she wrote, Blue Stockings, writes Sue Corcoran.
The production, directed by Pamela Barter, had the audience swept along, willing the success of the young women fighting for the right to graduate in 1897. It was on stage at the theatre in Cantley Park until Saturday, June 25.
The company made great use of this clever and revealing work by Jessica Swale, who was brought up in Winnersh where her parents still live. The theatre said it was privileged to have Jessica run a workshop for those involved in the play.
On the opening night there were many great performances which set off the contrasts between characters. Jess Hadleigh’s young blue stocking Tess Moffat caught well the lively, idealistic and courageous young woman.
Her loves, Michael Ayiotis playing sparky and passionate Ralph and Henry Jennings’ dependable Will were nicely contrasting.
These were fully 3-D characters. They and the rest of the 22-strong cast showed well their characters being pulled this way and that by society or by the urge to rebel.
The speech of sneering criticism of the women students by Daniel Pirie playing Lloyd was powerful. The fight scene was dramatic and shocking, showing the heat of the whole debate.
Katie Hamilton and Penny Dixon skilfully portrayed the women academics’ divisions on how to achieve women’s graduation.
Peter Pearson’s Dr Maudsley lecture on women’s natural inability to study was well judged. His tone was so reasonable but he had us cheering for the women from the start. He was one of the ‘bad guys’ but we understood this was the prevailing view.
James Lole playing Professor Collins, convinced us of his passion and dedication for women’s education.
The actors made good use of the group dynamics of the two sets of students. Jess Hadleigh, Ele Asplen, Vicky Lawford and Clare Bray, showed the women’s idealism and initial nervousness. Maeve, played by Clare Bray, had us sympathising deeply.
Michael Ayiotis, Daniel Pirie, Ben Addington, Alex Daykin and Henry Jennings were a powerful group of young men, their different views flying between them.
Production manager was Mary Rutterford, stage manager was Tracy Eisa and set design was by Sue Lawson Dick. Bob Hill and team built the set. Rosemary Matthews and team did the costumes. The whole atmosphere evoked the late 19th century.
For more details on the show, buy Friday’s Wokingham Paper and click here to go to the Wokingham Theatre website.
