Review: A Passionate Woman – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 15 Mar, 2017
Updated on: 5 Apr, 2017

By Tricia Marcotti

Tuesday, March 14 was the opening night for the Everyman Theatre’s production of A Passionate Woman at the Yvonne Arnaud.

Written by Kay Mellor, it is based on her mother’s story about an affair she had many years ago. It is a good play, written from the perspective of a woman, but with enough input from the men in her life to make it rounded.

Directed by Peter Milton, the play has been presented in a very lively vein. Michael Holt has designed a moveable set for the play which takes place in the attic and on the roof, to enable the two different scenes to happen easily.

There was a gasp from the audience as his final piece of staging appeared. Full marks, Michael! (I would tell you what it was, but you have to see it to believe it!)

Starring Liza Goddard, A Passionate Woman is both funny and poignant. The play is not overly long, but the pace is such that you feel you have witnessed many life-changing events in the course of the evening.

Ms Goddard (as Betty), who is present on stage for the whole performance, was as fresh at the end of the play as she was when it began.

Her portrayal of Betty will strike chords with a lot of women who find themselves in the same predicament.

Her role requires not only acting but also an amount of athleticism in order to move around the set. Add to that a good sense of timing, and you see the complete picture of a good actress.

Mark is trying to talk Betty off the roof in Everyman Theatre production of Kay Mellor’s The Passionate Woman starring Liza Goddard, Anthony Eden and Russell Dixon. www.thousandwordmedia.com .

Anthony Eden (as Mark, Betty’s son), gave a credible rendition of a thirty-something about to marry and leave home. He showed us a son who was exasperated by his mother’s behaviour but understood her feelings over his departure to a new life.

Add a little slapstick humour with ripped clothing and you have a young man that you may have run across in your life too.

Hasan Dixon (as Craze, Betty’s lost love), provides us with a glimpse of Betty’s past that she regrets losing. Hasan played the part of a ghost, both humorously and sympathetically.

Russell Dixon (as Donald, Betty’s husband), was exactly as I imagined him to be, when he finally appeared on stage. However, he then turned my preconceptions on their head by giving his side of their story.

Life hadn’t been so rosy for him either. His interaction with Mark in the attic is a good display of father and son “discussions”.

Donald telling Mark what he felt about life with Betty. www.thousandwordmedia.com.

It was a pleasure to watch, no, not watch, listen to each of the actors enunciating their words clearly. They are all to be commended for ensuring the audience could hear and understand them. All in all, this was a diverting evening.

A Passionate Woman runs until Saturday, March 18, and tickets are available via the website: www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01483 440000.

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