Theatre review – The Roundabout at Park Theatre

Theatre review from Islington’s newest venue, Park Theatre – showing The Roundabout until 24 September 2016. Review by Nicola and Saira for Islington Faces.

THE ROUNDABOUT – at the Park Theatre until 24 September 2016 (published 29/8/16)

Thanks to J B Priestley’s wit (and the fact that An Inspector Calls is on the GCSE English syllabus) he is a well-known playwright. But now that one of his lost comedy of manners, The Roundabout, is showing at Park Theatre expect renewed interest in this early 20^th century wordsmith.

Ideally book tickets to see it for yourself, not just because The Roundabout has some fabulous laugh-out-loud lines, but also to enjoy seeing the talented Bessie Carter.

The plot (without spoilers)

Bessie Carter – daughter of Archway-born Imelda Staunton and her husband Jim Carter (from Downton Abbey) – is a perfect Pamela. It’s the 1930s – cue ace set at the Park 200. Pamela has just returned from Communist Russia bringing a nauseating comrade (Staggers played by Steven Blakeley who you might know from Heartbeat) to stay unexpectedly with the father her mother left 10 years ago.

For her father (Lord Kettlewell played by Brian Protheroe) it’s a nightmare weekend. Problems beset him including a demanding mistress, his failing business, staff unrest (because it’s the 30s and things are changing in Britain) plus his efforts to get to know his stroppy adult daughter. All rich comic seams.

The audience loved it.

My friend Saira, who grew up in Delhi, was delighted by the money-making schemes of Lady Knightsbridge (a well-cast Richenda Carey) in particular her “is there any money in it” quest to find a planting job in the far East for one of her protégées in rubber, tea or – growing desperate – curry.

And I relished the fabulous one-liners Priestley gives to the professional country house weekender Churton Saunders (played by Hugh Sachs) who loves the good life of Cuban cigars and expensive brandy (as long as someone else is paying).

VERDICT:

Islington Faces thought this was great fun, ideal for any age from 11 up.

Cast includes: Steven Blakeley, Lisa Bowerman, Bessie Carter, Richenda Carey, Charlie Field, Derek Hutchinson, Annie Jackson, Ed Pinker, Brian Protheroe, Hugh Sachs and Carol Starks.

Tickets available from here

Enjoyed this?
Read more about behind the scenes at the Park Theatre with these Islington Faces interviews:

• With Hazel, Park Theatre dog
• With Michael Ross, Happy to Help playwright
• Melli Bond on the Park Theatre Script Accelerator 2016