When We Are Married
Written by: J B Priestley
Directed by: Martin Herford
October 2008
Twenty-five years ago, the Helliwells, the Parkers and the Soppitts were married on the same day and by the same person. They have now gathered at the Helliwell home to celebrate their silver wedding. These staunch West Riding chapel folk have summoned the new organist to reprimand him for courting an unidentified maiden. To their consternation, he tells them that he recently met the person who conducted the triple wedding ceremony, and who was not authorized to do so. Pandemonium breaks out when these pillars of society believe they have been living in sin for 25 years. Period 1900.Cast List
Reviews
There are times when I am really overwhelmed by what amateur dramatics companies can achieve and Blackmore Players are no exception. For their 40th Anniversary Year they decided to reprise their original production using two of the previous cast.
The curtains opened up to what I can only describe as an absolutely sumptuous set. Indeed I could have happily lived in that drawing room as the antique furniture; paintings and objet d'art were artistically arranged in a really stunning way. They had been very carefully chosen and I give full marks to the props manager and crew.
The play opens with three happily-married couples, who are the pillars of society, and prominent at their church, gathering to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their triple wedding ceremony. Much to their dismay they are told by the new church organist that they were never married and he shows them the proof. The couples reel from the news and try to decide how they feel about the 25 year commitment they've made to one another.
The role of the maid Ruby Birtle was played with superb stagecraft and timing. Mrs Northrop was also marvellous as the old cleaner & cook who reminded me of Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine. The excellent casting by the director and his working on characterisation and accent were shown to great effect with the three couples who really interacted well together. It really is a treat to see mature experienced actors treading the boards and showing how it should be done.
Alderman Helliwell who had had a dalliance with the 'tart with a heart' Lottie is found out but is forgiven by his long suffering wife. The downtrodden Herbert Soppitt who finally summons up the courage to stand up for himself against his overbearing wife Clara, who realises just I time, how close she is to losing him. Councillor Parker who is in his demure wife's words 'stingy, dreary and pompous' is turned down by her when he decides to do the decent thing and marry her again. I felt quite sorry for her when she realised that they are indeed really married. All three couples were excellent and if at times they tripped on a few lines and took some prompts it did not detract from their performances.
The supporting cast were also excellent and if I have one gripe its that young Gerald the church organist should have either cut his long hair - (there were no ponytails in Edwardian times) or been made to wear a wig! There were some technical issues regarding shadows on the actors' faces which should have been dealt with.
Congratulations to director Martin Herford cast and crew for this really entertaining evening which the audience so clearly enjoyed. I will look forward to coming again to see their next production.
Christine Davidson, NODA
On 9th October, together with two friends, I made my way to Blackmore Village Hall for the opening night of the Blackmore Players' production of J.B. Priestley's When We Are Married. This 1938 comedy is set in a small Yorkshire town 100 years ago, when three middle-class couples celebrating their silver wedding anniversaries discover that, owing to a legal technicality, they weren't married at all. As social scandal threatens, mayhem ensues. This was our first visit to see the players and we were very impressed by the solid performances given by director Martin Herford's cast in this ensemble piece. 14 ever more colourful characters, dressed in lavish Edwardian costume, played out the story against a wonderful period set. We particularly enjoyed the performances of Barry Young as Councillor Albert Parker and Barbara Harrold as Maria Helliwell. Daft housemaid Ruby Birtle got the biggest laugh by explaining that her worldly knowledge was down to the fact that her brother kept rabbits! Lighting and sound were first rate, and the audience enjoyed the intimate atmosphere in comfortable surroundings. A huge amount of hard work and a brilliant team effort by the Players and, at £5.00 a ticket, a great value for money evening out for us. We look forward to the Players' next production - Aladdin - on 22nd January at 8pm, 23rd January at 8pm and 24th January at 2:30pm and 8pm.Jane Dobre, Kelvedon Hatch Village News