Presented by Citadel Arts Group

Review by Hunter King

This past weekend, the Scottish Storytelling Centre staged a production of In A Class of their Own, a play adapted by Sam Cassimally, based on the novel of the same name by a well-beloved Edinburgh writer, Millie Gray. The play tells a story of Rachel (Ashley Barlow), a mother of four who, after recently having her husband leave, must find support for her children in the midst of World War II. 

The production makes do with a simple design, using only a few chairs and basic lighting, relying primarily on the performances of the actors and the overarching story to keep the audience entertained. Director Liz Hare has her priorities straight, as Gray’s story relies on simple and relatable storytelling, with little spectacle for a touching and meaningful play. 

The cast is very capable, consisting of only three actors: Barlow as Rachel and Chelsea Grace and Conrad Williamson as Rachel’s twin children, Carrie and Sam. The three actors have a fantastic rapport and are believable as a mother and her children, despite being seemingly the same age. Williamson brings a childlike whimsy to the football-loving Sam, and convincingly presents himself as the young man who fails to fully comprehend the difficulties his mother is facing. Grace, however, brings a wisdom beyond her age, playing the character that Gray based partially off of herself, and serving as the primary narrator to the story. 

Barlow is a standout in the production, bringing a lot of life to Rachel as a struggling mother, trying to give her children the opportunities that they deserve. She brings a flair to the character and showcases her strong acting skills in moments where Rachel is tender and others where she expresses frustration and difficulty with her new life circumstances. 

Snappy dialogue keeps the play moving at a good pace and keeps the audience engaged, providing a well-rounded story that still holds up and feels especially relatable in today’s world with costs ever rising, and financial difficulty becoming ever more prevalent. Perhaps the strongest element of the production is its deeply connected roots to Edinburgh. Many times throughout the production I was able to feel more connected to the story as different local areas were mentioned in ways that felt authentic and timeless, deeply connecting the Campbell family, as well as the audience with Edinburgh, and thus connecting the audience with the Campbell family. 

Despite the story taking place at a different time in the world, it captures the modern emotions and situations that people very much still find themselves in, facing personal hardships amongst a slew of worldwide hardships and yet finding love and hope through the power of grit, determination, and family. Citadel Arts has a beautiful piece of theatre here, and they go to prove that theatre does not always need to be big and flashy, but can be meaningful and moving with a few actors, a stage, and a powerful story.

---