The Children's Hour

Hmmm, it's been a while since I've done this, let's see if I remember how it's done...


WHAT: The Children's Hour
WHEN: Saturday, June 21
WHERE: Stirling Theatre, Stirling (well, duh!), WA


From their own publicity, The Children's Hour is "A cautionary tale of how little lies can turn into big issues. A troublesome little girl at a boarding school fashions a story about two of the headmistresses. Her lie causes a major negative impact on the lives of these women."


To say the least. An alternative synopsis might have been, "What if Robert & Kathy Thorn raised a little girl?"


Miss Wright (Katrina Bonds) and Miss Dobie (Catriona Coe) own and run the Wright-Dobie School for Girls, an exclusive boarding school in England, 1934. The production opens on the school with an amusing scene from English teacher, Mrs “I’ve never missed a line in my life” Mortar (despite evidence to the contrary). Clare Wilson obviously had fun with the sanctimonious old biddy, and provided the comic relief for this very dark play. Some of her indignant shrieks got a bit high, and I might be tempted to warn her to be careful not to go too far over the top into caricature.


It is in this scene that we meet the sweet, innocent and lovely Mary Tilford, played by Alexandra York. When I say, “sweet, innocent and lovely”, I mean it in the same way as I might use to describe a Great White Pointer. Mary is a wicked little girl, not beyond using lies, blackmail and bullying to get her own way (truancy, usually). When she is challenged, she relies upon the timeworn strategy of feigning illness. When she absconds from school, heads home and is caught, she insists the two headmistresses are “out to get her” because she knows the headmistresses’ secret. Can we all say, “The love that dare not speak its name?”


Apparently this play was chosen because of the large number of roles for youngsters. I think there were 11 girls and one boy (standard ratio, really) and they were excellent. Stirling Theatre should be commended for their Youth Group and for staging a play where so many young actresses can participate. Congratulations to director Christine Ellis for rounding up such uniform talent, and well done to all the girls (and Brendan).


And of course, Alexandra. When she was good, she was very very good, and when she was bad she was horrid. One minute she was sweetness and light, the next she was pure evil. Some adult actors have trouble with this dichotomy, but Alexandra was a natural at switching back and forth. At interval, the audience were ready to lynch her. I imagine her parents would have to sit in the car outside the theatre with the engine running.


As much as the audience hated Mary, they adored her poor victim, Rosalie, played by Amy Stenning-Galloway. Rosalie was the “girl who didn’t fit in”. Mary discovered a secret and used it against Rosalie mercilessly. I know at least one audience member (TH) who wanted to just pick Rosalie up and take her home. Well done to both the girls.


Cassie Vagliviello had a bit part, but contributed otherwise by writing some bridging scenes for the play. Not only were these seamless with the original script, but also showcased the abilities of some of the other girls. I canÂ’t remember which were which, but they were all wonderful as snooty, upper-class, English boarding-school brats.


There was a LONG scene change between Act 1 and Act 2. A bit too long for my tastes, but it enabled the crew to totally transform the box set. Very impressive!


I should mention the adults, so that they donÂ’t sulk in the dressing room. Katrina & Catriona were lovely. I did think Act 1 was a bit talky and slow, but thatÂ’s often the case with Act 1 - it has to set the stage, introduce the characters, etc. If all the sex scenes were in Act 1, whoÂ’d come back after Interval? I really enjoyed CatrionaÂ’s performance. She seemed to have the meatier of the roles. She got more and more distraught as the lies escalated, and presented an emotionally powerful performance. Even more impressive when you consider (as I learned afterward) that English is not her first language!


Katrina was the more composed of the two - the rock of support. Well, she did have a boyfriend to fall back on. Peter Clark portrayed the jovial, calming Dr Cardin, a neutral role (ie: not a teacher) in MaryÂ’s eyes. He was also KatrinaÂ’s fiancé. However, when it mattered most, he let Katrina down. Katrina had a wonderful concluding scene - her eyes and body language speaking volumes, whilst saying nothing.


The wonderful Ann Barker played MaryÂ’s Grandmother. Believing sweet, innocent, lovely (like a shark, remember) Mary, Grandma sets into motion events that will ruin the school and everyone in it. ItÂ’s hard to hate the wonderful Ann Barker, but weÂ’ll certainly give it our best. :-)


On a personal note, I was a bit disappointed with the programme. I do like to see cast bios, but this programme was sadly lacking them. I realise that much of the cast, at such a young age, may not have much experience behind them (although that's certainly not evident from their performances) but even a couple of lines would have been better than nothing.


And, since it is expected of me, I must say it was nice to see authentic-looking hosiery on the adults (except for Peter, whose was hidden beneath his trousers). They may not have been fully fashioned, and they may only have been pantihose with seams drawn up the back, but it's the thought that counts.


Geez, another tome. In summary: A bit slow to start but builds to a powerful climax. It doesn't beat you about the head with its important messages, either. Some wonderful performances from young actresses and adults alike. Thanks Stirling Players.

JB