What if you were to discover, after 25 years of wedlock, that your marriage was invalid in the eyes of the law – that you weren’t really married to your other half at all? Would it change your relationship? For better or for worse?
This was the theme of JB Priestley’s gentle comedic play “When we are married” admirably performed by the Compton Martin Players in November in the village hall. Set in the home of a prosperous Yorkshire wool merchant at the turn of the century, three couples gather to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, only to learn their weddings were conducted by someone not yet qualified to confer the state of matrimony. Each member of the party is forced to look at life from a new perspective, as individuals rather than as couples, with illuminating results!
Despite the period feel generated both by the script and the delightful set the play’s observational humour struck a contemporary chord with the audience, who chuckled involuntarily throughout the performance. The play was performed in the round, with the audience sitting around the periphery of an Edwardian sitting room; this parlour effect served to highlight the observational quality of the action.
In the temporary suspension of marriage each couple throws up all that is wrong in their relationships, and each wonders whether to continue the status quo or follow their individual paths. It is perhaps a timely comment on the value of marriage that each party seems overwhelmingly relieved when their legal status is re-instated at the end.
The Players once again, after a long absence, turned out a well-crafted and entertaining production, perfectly suited to their venue and audience. There were some great comic turns from experience members of the cast, and some assured support roles from promising young actors. When you know a cast member in real life their portrayal of a different character is fascinating; however, some astute casting helped match characters and personalities to good effect. Congratulations are due to the Compton Martin Players under the direction of Liz Garden for bringing us this charming production.
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Since Aug 04
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