I HAVE
FIVE DAUGHTERS
Directed by Wyn Tootell
NODA Review
Billed as a "morning room comedy based on Jane Austen's
novel Pride and Prejudice" it contained a veritable
waterfall of words, all in the idiom of the day, with which
the cast coped exceedingly well. The storyline centres on a
country gentleman and his wife whose sole object in life
was seemingly to marry off their five daughters, preferably
to someone further up the social ladder than themselves.
Mrs Bennett was played by Renée Clitheroe. A gem of a
performance as she bustled around organising the family and
their relationships. David Meadows played the part of Mr
Bennett quite well but I would have expected a sterner
approach to the character and his family.
John Griffin as Charles Bingley was very good as the
newcomer to the area and the object of desire for the
daughters whilst Andrew Swindley was excellent as the
arrogant member of the aristocracy Fitzwilliam Darcy. The
best performance from the gentlemen came from David Hartley
as the Rector, William Collins. This simpering, low bowing
and slightly sinister clergyman character was brilliantly
portrayed.
It was refreshing also to see five young talented ladies
who made up the remainder of the Bennett family. Lorraine
Sullivan and Zoe Duffin played the younger - and rather
giddy - sisters Kitty and Lydia whilst Denise Mulhearn
played the studious and serious minded Mary. Cassandra Moon
played the single minded and manipulative Elizabeth whilst
Fiona Jacks played the eldest and most eligible daughter,
Jane. Each of these were quality performances.
Other parts were equally well played by Shirley Kilshaw
(Charlotte Lucas), Hilary Lowe (Caroline Bingley) and
Margaret Miller (Lady Catherine de Bourgh).
Scenery, props and costumes looked authentic and of high
quality the only minor quibble would be lighting on the
backcloth which never varied even though each scene was a
morning in February, early March, late March and late July.
This was a production that had much to recommend it and
which the society and director Wyn Tootell can be
justifiably pleased.
