Great Expectations

My first apology, I could not obtain a program and thus I had to wait notification of the cast. It is a long time between visits to the Harbour Theatre and I am glad I refreshed my pleasant memories of previous visits. I confess at the start I know one member of the cast exceedingly well as a co worker on film and stage. This play, is decidedly, deucedly difficult to stage. More than 40 scenes, ( I lost count in the early twenties) it seemed like a slow motion screenplay more than something for live performance. The light and sound team were magnificent in their timing, with so much to go wrong, very little did. The same can be said for the stalwart and never tiring stage crew whose constant ( it seemed ) to and fro-ing was enlivened by the little LED lights twinkling winsomely and distractingly at hip height. (Tip: the headset battery should be worn inside clothing or pocket) Anyhoo, back to this script. The cast did their best with it as did the director; but my word, it does lag. At nearly three and a half hours length ( of which at least 30 minutes was scene changes) we were all glad when Pip got his rewards and we could get out of the place. The actual staging was interesting with Miss Havisham's interior on the upper tier at the back of the stage partially concealed by moveable scrims. I am not sure that it worked for all as the distance did detract from La Havishams scenes. But I cannot see, at Harbour, an alternative to that layout with this script. A revolving stage would certainly be appropriate but this is penurious and narrow staged community theatre. So the set designer (Director Nicola Bond) did a great job with what they had to work with. Well done. The performances included some of the most passionate and well acted characters I have ever seen , interspersed by some actors overfaced by their character's demands and of course, in a cast this size, with the usual “stand about until I deliver my lines” school of coarse acting. It gave an unevenness to the whole performance . “Joe Gargery” (Trevor Dhu)was outstanding. He moved me and my partner to tears with his heartfelt and genuine distress at Pip's ambition and heartlessness. The hard work he put in early, building significant and convincing rapport with the talented Young Pip (Callum Fletcher) paid off handsomely. He refined and distilled Joe's character and drew this all to the attention of an attentive audience.. This was an outstanding performance. He was ably and noisily supported in the early scenes, by Mrs Gargery (Jo Sterkenburg). Young Pip was a standout character along with Pip's friend Herbert Pocket (Chris Lucani ) who captured that young man's diffident character and played it in wonderful counterpoise to Pip the Elder's angst. Indeed some of the most engaging scenes outside of Joe Gargery's were those of Pip and Pocket. Uncle Pumblechook and the “Aged Relative” ( Phil MacKenzie) were portrayed garrulously, professionally and competently by my old friend . I would be more surprised by a less than professional performance from this talented and battle scarred warhorse whose skills, workrate and talent I aspire to and try to emulate. Pip the Elder, (Sam Cochran)was a very, very good performance. Outstanding at times, never less than workmanlike at others this young actor had worked hard at his character, role and delivery. It showed and it paid off for him. Wemmick (Andy Markland) was believable, sly, devious yet revealing a softer side. I would have like to see more of that character. Orlick,(Jason Bouwhuis) awkward, forbidding and dangerous, gave all to his part. Ms Havisham (Kirstie Francis) . My heart went out to you. To see such an obviously talented and hard working actor doing their very best and straining every sinew to bring this mad, forbidding character to life and yet, and yet, not quite convince us. Handicapped by the monster script and the difficulty of the faded aristocratic accent your best efforts were brought to naught. I would love to see you in some more manageable role as I am sure there is a tremendous depth of talent hiding behind the makeup and wedding dress. The young Estella (Elliza Skinner) was personable and audible, which is unusual and refreshing in a young actor, unfortunately she had too few opportunities to shine. The older Estella (Carmen Miles) had many opportunities to shine, but I think in real life lacks, and so could not truly grasp, that authentic coldness that characterised Dickens sad and lost soul of a young girl warped by the mad and maddening Havisham crone. Mind you she almost had me convinced that she could pull it off until she smiled and a warm human shone through. Estella and Havisham are truly difficult characters to portray, complex , melancholic, pitiable, and yet awfully human, it is a brave thing to attempt them. Last but not least was the very young nephew Pip, clear diction, 4 syllable words as clear as a lark at dawn, a wonderful character but I could not find his name! All together an entertaining evening in a very nice venue. A brave script for anyone to attempt and all credit to the Director (Nicola Bond) and Assistant Director (Peter Kirkwood) to hold and rehearse such a large and disparate cast. Congratulations to you all.