The classic Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter is given a fresh burst of life in Emma Rice’s adaptation and although we have song and dance this can’t really be classed as a musical writes Paul Smalley
Yes there are songs and dance sequences from eleven of Noel Coward’s tunes but some are merely musical interludes rather than full on songs, some which don’t even reach the chorus.
The story tells of a chance meeting and subsequent accidental meetings between a respectable married middle class woman and a general practitioner, both are married with children but from these initial liaisons of innocence, develops into something far deeper even approaching infidelity.
The main set for the production is the wonderfully recreated 1930’s railway stations cafe bar with a large hanging clock, cafe resplendent with all you’d expect, rock cakes, bath buns, tea urn, etc, utilised with a jazz trio based in the background of the cafe.
The trio are used to enhance the script at poignant moments or in full swing for the more prominent song and dance numbers which elevate the excellent performances of Laura and Alec played by Hannah Azuonye and Baker Mukasa, both abley supported throughout by Matthew Allen, Georgia Frost, Richard Glaves, Christina Modestou and Ida Regan who play a total of fifteen different characters between themselves with perfect aplomb.
Scenes are done tastefully and appropriately with the brilliant scene of our lovers on the boating lake under the falling cherry blossom will long be remembered.
Finally Alec advises Laura that he is leaving England to go and work in South Africa for his brother so there meetings will be over, and as we await the final parting, Dolly, a talkative acquaintance of Laura invited herself to there final goodbye oblivious to the couples misery.
A squeeze on the shoulder is as far as we get, and although Laura longs for him to return and she contemplates suicide as she runs to the platform as she hears the incoming express train, which is done very effectively.
Fully recommended as a good theatrical night out, fine performances, music dance, what more could one ask.
Tickets from £12, running until 13th January 2024.
Four⭐
