Written by J B Priestley
Directed by Martin Foreman
Review by Marina Funcasta
Opening to an Edwardian drawing room, it is hard to expect anything else from a J.B. Priestley ‘Time Play’. Scorched into imaginations thanks to English GCSE, the deceptive ease of his nostalgic sensationalism is widely acknowledged. And yet, though diverting, the feeling of outdatedness is hard to shake off.
‘Dangerous Corner’ is a play about subjectivity, memory and reputation: beginning with a scene of after-dinner chit-chat, an upper-middle class dialogue carries the first few minutes, broken only by a conversation blip. This moment, though seeming textually insignificant, is played with rivalling sincerity by Olwen Peel, performed by Toyra Hughes. Caught knowing more about a cigarette box than she cares to let on, the knot from which the seams of the play unwind is assembled. From this, an unprecedented thread of events is tied together by our characters, who reveal their involvement with Martin in the days running up to his death.
Director Martin Foreman successfully demarcates the points of tension in the compounding revelations which make up the play; aided with sound, controlled by Dug Campbell, and lights by Gordon Hughes, the building blocks of suspense are clearly outlined for the audience. Though certainly not subtle, the static nature of a Priestley drama is crucially diced up by these sudden semiotic slices. Though subsequently achieving a fragmented feel, the jagged rhythm of the performance is loosened up by presences like Gracie Roxburgh, playing Betty Whitehouse, or Gordon Whitehouse, playing Jed Bury. Unconvincing as a couple, their chemistry is not only unnecessary but, I suppose, unwarranted; armed with the most fascinating monologue of the cast by far, Bury’s emotional euphemisms are at once poignant and frustrating, bringing light to the lack of conversational and linguistic space at the time used in describing relationships like his was with Martin.
To be sure, the emotional and social collapses of polite society are placed centre stage in this production. Perhaps rendered less effective by the three-act, two-interval structure, the ensemble’s tongue-in-cheek self-awareness is nevertheless tangible. Hyperbolising her body language and indulging the glamour of early twentieth-century domestic dramas, Roxburgh is endearingly glamorous, providing a good contrast to Cari Silver’s earnest Freda Caplan. The costume, organised by Kate Stephenson, is particularly useful in this case. Overall, Edinburgh Grads have provided an entertaining theatrical experience, inspiring enthusiasm both on and off stage.
Inspiring Enthusiasm
Dangerous Corner runs at the Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh until 19th October
Running time: Two hours and thirty minutes with one interval
Photo credit – Kate Stephenson
Review by Marina Funcasta (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Marina is halfway through an English literature degree at Edinburgh University, wherein she has been (considerably) involved in the drama scene: enjoying performing with their Shakespeare Company shows, but also modern takes on Arthur Miller. However, Marina’s interests are wide-ranging under the theatre genre – enjoying abstract, more contemporary takes on shows (with a keen interest in Summerhall)
