Isn’t it surprising how a bit of sunshine, a theatre trip
and a catch up with a friend over dinner can reset the lethargy button?
It’s not that I haven’t done anything since my last entry,
quite the contrary my dear reader, however, whilst the doing was fun, the write
up seemed too much of a chore. What originally started as something cathartic
had started to get shoved onto a mounting pile of half-finished things that needed
dealing with (included play reports!) So, now the doom and gloom of Winter is
on its way out and Spring is (supposedly) on its way in…let’s get some writing
done! (Although saying that it's still taken 3 days to actually post what I'd written!)
The Winslow Boy is one of my favourite Rattigan plays. It is
based around a true story of a father’s fight for justice against the Admiralty
when his young son is accused of stealing a postal order. We had originally
intended to see he play in March at Birmingham Rep, however, the theatre
cancelled the performance last minute due to heavy snow. This was a double
whammy for me (well triple actually.) 1. I was missing a play I had long looked
forward to seeing. 2. I was missing out on a weekend catch up with a friend I’d
not seen since before Christmas. 3. Tom Burke was reading poetry in London
which I hadn’t got a ticket for because of my prior engagement. But there was
light on the horizon…The Winslow Boy was heading to Salford and my friend and
I were able to rearrange, so whilst there may have been a delay, at least
points 1 & 2 could be rectified.
Whilst Rattigan fell out of favour with the critics for
being old-fashioned, in the late 70’s after his death his work started to become
popular. Modern audiences engage with his realistic characters whose everyday
problems are deeply moving. Society likes to believe it has moved on, but many
issues of the 40s, 50s, 60’s and 70s when Rattigan was writing are still just
as prevalent today.
“Let right be done”
In the case of the Winslow Boy, Rattigan shows that
standing up for oneself, that fighting for justice and what is right is
important. Principles and morality are an important part of the human
condition, and what are we without them? What if we let the establishment run
over the little man?
The play is based on the case of Archer-Shee v the King. 13
year old naval cadet George Archer-Shee was accused of stealing a five shilling
postal order from the locker of another cadet Terence Black. An internal
enquiry at The Admiralty decided that George had gone to the post office to buy
a postal order for 15 shillings and sixpence, and whilst there is also cashed
Terence’s postal order. A graphologist, Thomas Gurrin, confirmed that the
handwriting on the postal order was that of George, and on this evidence The
Admiralty wrote to George’s father requesting that he remove his son from
college on the grounds he was a thief.
George’s father engaged Sir Edward Carson as his barrister,
a man of reputation who did not fear taking on the Crown. He subjected George
to a three hour cross-examination, after which he was convinced of George’s innocence
and agreed to take on the case. It was a case which would drag on for nearly three
years and even hold up an important debate in the House of Commons for three
hours. The trial eventually began Tuesday 26th July and on the fourth
day the trial ended dramatically when the solicitor general delivered a
statement accepting the evidence that George Archer-Shee was not guilty and he
should be exonerated of any wrongdoing.
“If ever the time comes that the
House of Commons has so much on its mind that it can’t find time to discuss a
Ronnie Winslow and his bally postal order, this country will be a far poorer
place.”
The play takes place in one room of the Winslow’s home and
by doing this, Director Rachel Kavanaugh invites us into the family home to
hear first-hand the trials and tribulations of a family sticking together to
ensure that young Ronnie Winslow has his name cleared from the injustice the “untouchable”
Admiralty has thrown at him. Whilst we are watching a period room, the themes
and the issues of the play could be encountered in a modern setting – it could just
as easily be set in someone’s kitchen, but there’s something heartening about
keeping the play in Rattigan’s era.
There are captivating performances by the whole cast however
there are three performances worthy of specific mention. Aden Gillett (The House
of Elliott) begins the play as the archetypal Edwardian authoritative father
that a son should be respectful of. His booming voice juxtaposed with Rattigan’s
wit makes him a figure to be wary of, however, it quickly becomes evident that
he worships his son and will do anything for him. Both his deteriorating health
and wealth make him an endearing character as his softer side is allowed to
show through in his sacrifice for his son.
Dorothea Myer-Bennett also delivers a strong performance as Ronnie’s
equally strong-willed suffragette sister. She will not listen to those around
her who keep telling her it is a waste of time to fight for women being given
the right to vote, or to try and clear the name of her brother. She is stuck in
the middle of a changing world, the anchor of the family with the voice of
reason. Should she sacrifice her values at a time when women married for
practical rather than emotional reasons? With the current political climate for
female equality with the #MeToo and Times Up movements, Catherine resonates as
a strong and powerful female voice for our time.
Sir Robert Morton, the arrogant barrister engaged to
represent Ronnie’s case is magnificently performed by Timothy Watson; his
interrogation of Ronnie at the start of the play is edge of the seat drama as
he reduces the poor boy to tears. Rattigan’s comic genius is shown as Sir
Robert’s demeanour slowly wavers as he falls under the spell of the captivating
and moralistic Catherine!
Michael Taylor's beautiful Edwardian set and costumes bring
the period to life, but also the clever removal of furniture and less quality
clothing show how much the family wealth is depleted as more and more money is
pumped into the trial. All of this adds to the authenticity of the piece and
whilst the show is a slow-burn, it does keep you entranced until the end,
wondering how much more the family can take as they await the verdict.
And so what happened to the little boy who started it all
this rumpus? The real Winslow Boy, George Archer-Shay worked in America for a
short time before returning home at the start of World War One. He died in the
first Battle of Ypres in 1914 at the age of 19. He was a young man who will
forever live on via Rattigan’s play because of the case of a father who showed that
where there is injustice, you have to fight it head on; a message that doesn't go amiss today.
E&OE
