"Cause Celebre"

Lace Market Theatre

This is one of the most enjoyable, non musical plays I've seen in a while, and my introduction to Terence Rattigan's works.

The courtroom drama about a woman, Alma Rattenbury, and her teenage lover, Percy George Wood and Rattenbury's murdered husband, Francis. Which of the two killed Francis, or was it a joint effort?

It's fascinating how Rattigan writes so powerfully for women, and in the second act shows a great knowledge of the court room and the male characters in this half are shown to be the stronger written characters.

Tamzin Grayson is absolutely brilliant in the role of the sex hungry cougar who, at first is the dominant seducer of Wood, a little like Mrs Robinson. She looks the part of a 1930's confident woman. but it's interesting to see how that confidence is wore down throughout the play.

Geoff Longbottom (Francis), again well cast as the older, wealthy, though tight husband who is the victim.

Alma's friend, who lives with the Rattenbury's is Irene, played by Carole Barton, Sticking with Alma through thick and thin but has a feeling that Wood, when he first applies for the job, may just be trouble. If only Alma had listened to Irene's gut feeling.

Aaron Connelly (Wood) makes his debut adult production and what a way to break his duck. A powerful performance which simmers to start but the confidence of Wood is played out to great affect here. A lovely arrogant character, which I'm sure Aaron enjoyed getting his teeth into.

Sarah Taylor (Edith Davenport) gives another wonderful character driven performance. Struggling with her inner self as the forewoman of the jury, but does she relent with her vote?

Edith's estranged husband, John, is played by David Dunford. only a minor part but gives an interesting background to Edith's home life with her son, Tony, which ties in nicely with her inner feelings towards Alma, and Alma's actions.

Son Tony, played by another very confident and natural actor, Sam Howitt, adds layers to the Davenport family with his own struggles between mother and father and him becoming a man and the issues that go along with that stage of his life.

There is a comical interaction with Tony's friend, Randolph, played by Sophie Owen, and Tony about his intended journey into becoming a man.

You'll find the theme of sex a constant thread throughout the play, and is one of the main reasons for the murder, as well as a topic brought up by most of the main characters in some way or another.

I loved the posh totty character in Stella Morrison, best friend to Edith and played beautifully by Kay Haw. Some lovely period clothes for Stella, as well as Edith, to wear.

The legal side of the play was really well performed and at times you could be forgiven for forgetting that you weren't in Court but watching a play. Marcus Wakely (Judge), Piotr Wisniewski, who was responsible for writing the lovely music for the recent "A Midsummer Night's Dream" production at the Lace Market Theatre, played Alma's legal eagle, along with Nick Parvin as Montagu, who you just knew wanted to take Wood's place. Roger Newman and John Parker played the legal opposition Croom-Johnson and Casswell. Fraser Wanless plated the Clerk of the Court as well as the Coroner.

As a legal team they were all fascinating to watch because they made me believe. You can see these kind of scenes on TV but being just feet away from this sort of drama is intoxicating for an audience to watch the drama unfold.

I've said in the past that Liza Pybus is one of my favourites at the Lace Market Theatre and yet again I have reason to back this statement up. Liza plays Joan Webster, at first a hard-nosed warden who softens as she gets to know Alma. As I said, Rattigan writes so well for his female characters and, while not a major character, Liza makes this a lovable and important role.

Roger Watson plays the bobby on the scene of the murder and first to interview Alma, after the murder, and Chris Griffiths plays the Court porter. Hal Stevens plays Alma's six year old son Christopher, and Hal puts in a very mature performance in the role; this being his second for the Lace Market Theatre

You know me, I love looking for the little things that just make a production and there are many in this one. From the soundscape of the baying public when Alma is brought to court, constantly murmuring in the background, to the shouts of disapproval from behind us as the decision is revealed in Court. This being the design of Gareth Morris. The wonderful subtle sound effects and the realistic drinks in the decanters. So many little things that add that touch of realism.

Wonderful set, sectioned into three, worked really well and designed by Peter Hillier. Brilliantly directed by Gordon Parsons, assisted by Freda Burke and Geoff Longbottom. The props were apt for the 1930's period, and I love the old record player, and those costumes are just so classy and stylish. Highlighting the stage sections was a wonderful design for the lighting by Philip Hogarth,

You see there is so much to mention and with such a brilliant story, combined with some of the best acting, and actors around in Nottingham, this is one play you really don't want to miss, even if it's to find out who did murder Francis... oh and there is a twist at the end, so watch out for that.

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Cause Celebre, Lace Market Theatre, Nottingham - Review

Playwright Terence Rattigan went out of favour when the Angry Young Men arrived in the late fifties. But the Lace Market Theatre makes it clear why he has enjoyed a revival in recent years. This is a classy production of a splendid play.

Based on an infamous real-life murder case from the 1930s – Alma Rattenbury and her toy-boy handyman bed-mate were tried for the killing of her elderly husband – it deals not only with the factual events but an interwoven fictional plot. A female woman juror has to try to control her prejudice against Rattenbury at the same time as she is divorcing her own husband for infidelity.

The production is served by Peter Hillier's first-rate, multi-locational set which uses lighting to facilitate brilliantly fuss-free scene changing. The chief strength of the evening though is the quality of performance.

Tamzin Grayson and Piotr Wisniewski do outstanding work as, respectively, Mrs Rattenbury and O'Connor, her leading defence barrister.

Grayson is wonderful floating provocatively about in pyjamas, whisky in hand and under the influence of cocaine. But equally so when she is in the witness box, fighting to express herself, and striving to tell the truth without incriminating her lover.

A perfectly cast Wisniewski is totally convincing as the cunning yet humane lawyer; this is his best performance for a long while. Other terrific work comes from, for instance, Sarah Taylor (Edith Davenport), Marcus Wakeley (Judge), and Roger Newman (Croom-Johnson).

Here, as in most of his plays, Rattigan demonstrates not only fine craftsmanship but an unwavering humanity. For him, we are all subject to moral failings, about which we should not be over-judgemental. A trial for murder must not be allowed to turn into a trial for perceived immorality, sexual or otherwise.

Directed by Gordon Parsons, this one should not be missed.

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Cause Celebre: You Be The Judge

On a scorching hot day, where better to hide than in a shade of a theatre? Well, on the 22nd of July I enjoyed an evening of drama at the Lace Market Theatre to watch a sold-out production of Terence Rattigan’s Cause Celebre, directed by Gordon Parsons. I had heard great reviews, so naturally I was intrigued and excited – and fortunately, I was not disappointed!

This play plunges you into the real life 1930s trial of Alma Rattenbury (played by Tamzin Grayson) and her teenage lover George Wood (Aaron Connelly). Their case revolved around the murder of Alma’s elderly husband Francis Rattenbury (Geoff Longbottom), only the play also adds a sub-plot of Edith’s Davenport’s (Sarah Taylor) failing marriage and separation to husband John (David Dunford). Edith fears the trial will influence her impressionable son Tony (Sam Howitt), something not much helped by her "friend" Stella Morrison (Kay Haw).

Originally a radio play, Cause Celebre was wonderfully adapted for the stage and brilliantly executed by a talented team of actors and crew. All performed in one main set, a living room designed by Peter Hillier, the scene also included courtroom furniture in foreground, but this by no means disrupted or broke the steady transition between each scene. The script’s movement between flash-backs and flash-forwards was also smartly executed, and wonderfully allowed the audience to peep into the case and apply their own conclusions.

The acting definitely left an indelible impression too, with memorable performances being generously offered up by Tamzin Grayson as Alma and Aaron Connelly as George. The former showed a brilliant range, repeatedly shifting from fun loving giggler to a heart-broken abject and breaking the audience’s heart (depending on their ultimate verdict of course). Similarly, Aaron’s rapidly changing character left the audience questioning the jury and themselves.

However, as with all good dramas, there was also a need for comic relief, and the cast did not fail to provide it! Especially characters such as Randolph Browne (played by Sophie Owen), who filled in as the young friend of Tony Davenport (Sam Howitt). These two’s quick-fire duologue never failed to leave the audience in giggles, and we also cannot forget good old O’Connor (Piotr Wisniewski), whose memorable defence and passion as a lawyer in the case created some great moments within the play.

Their joint performances definitely left me intrigued and asking, "Who murdered Mr Rattenbury?" And what’s more, director Gordon Parsons also cleverly used the audience as the jury, which really made you feel intensely involved in the drama. All in all, I think I’d have to go as far as to say that this was a highlight of all the Lace Market Theatre productions I have seen this year! It left me feeling entertained yet curious to find out more!

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