Dangerous Corner by J B Priestley
Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
24th April - 28th April 2018
Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat at 7.45 p.m. Sat 3.00 p.m
Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
24th April - 28th April 2018
Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat at 7.45 p.m. Sat 3.00 p.m
REVIEW
by Tom King
by Tom King
LOCAL theatregoers are a pretty privileged bunch, and one key reason is that we live cheek by jowl with Southend Shakespeare Company. It guarantees great Shakespeare of course, by definition, but Bard apart, it also means access to a rich stream of vintage theatre that is simply not available in other, more benighted places.
SSC's tradition of disinterring and reviving forgotten theatrical gems has ranged from 17th century Spain, to the 1920s Deep South Bible Belt, and produced some humdingers in the process – notably the 2016 revival of Somerset Maugham's Home and Beauty.
SSC's strength lies not just in the way it locates forgotten treasures, but in the panache with which it then goes on to stage them. It has the acting and technical knowhow to breathe new life into manuscripts that have been gathering dust for decades, or even centuries.
SSC's latest flourish, directed (and carefully researched) by Ian Downie, is J.B. Priestley's Dangerous Corner. The play, premiered in 1932, is no masterpiece, but is a fascinating piece of theatrical archaeology, well worth excavating.
SSC's tradition of disinterring and reviving forgotten theatrical gems has ranged from 17th century Spain, to the 1920s Deep South Bible Belt, and produced some humdingers in the process – notably the 2016 revival of Somerset Maugham's Home and Beauty.
SSC's strength lies not just in the way it locates forgotten treasures, but in the panache with which it then goes on to stage them. It has the acting and technical knowhow to breathe new life into manuscripts that have been gathering dust for decades, or even centuries.
SSC's latest flourish, directed (and carefully researched) by Ian Downie, is J.B. Priestley's Dangerous Corner. The play, premiered in 1932, is no masterpiece, but is a fascinating piece of theatrical archaeology, well worth excavating.
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Dangerous Corner's great strength lies in the power of its theme and the way it presents it dramatically. The message is clear, and universal – if you dig too deep into human relationships, yo may not like what you find. Indeed, it could spoil your whole day. Your whole life for that matter. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.
There is another incipient theme, one that Priestley would develop fully in his most famous play, An Inspector Calls. We cannot just hide from the troubles of the world, shrugging them off as we wallow in comfortable domesticity and materialism. At the start of Dangerous Corner, we are introduced to a self-satisfied group of middle-class people gathered in a drawing room. They amount to an extended family, both in blood terms, and in their familial outlook on life. They are interconnected, by marriage, and through jobs in the family publishing firm. A visiting novelist describes the set-up as “snug”, although her pronunciation sounds rather close to “smug”. |
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All this cosiness is blow apart by a couple of trivial, chance occurrences – a radio conks out, and somebody picks up a cigarette box in a particular way. These tiny twists of fate open up a horrible nest of skeletons that embrace suicide, rape, drug abuse, hard porn, financial crime, adultery, mixed sexuality and gay love – everything short of devil worship, in fact.
You name the shock-horror-scandal and it's there. Things become so overwrought that at times the audience could only respond to the melodramatics by tittering. But Dangerous Corner is a period piece, and needs to be evaluated as such. Early 1930s Britain was a much more complacent place, and Priestley's mission to prick that complacency was admirable. Also, of course, notions such as homosexuality (then a crime) would have had far more shock impact.
Dangerous Corner was Priestley's first play to be staged, and it does show the shortcomings of an apprentice piece by a dramatist who is still learning his craft. In particular, you feel the lack of cut-and-thrust in the dialogue. Priestley tends to provide each character with a little set speech – a bit like giving each player n a jazz band a solo spot – and then moves onto the next character.
Dangerous Corner was Priestley's first play to be staged, and it does show the shortcomings of an apprentice piece by a dramatist who is still learning his craft. In particular, you feel the lack of cut-and-thrust in the dialogue. Priestley tends to provide each character with a little set speech – a bit like giving each player n a jazz band a solo spot – and then moves onto the next character.
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Still, this gives SSC's resident talents the chance to show, once again, what they're made of, and actors and audience alike can enjoy that. SSC stalwarts Andrew Sugden, Vanessa Osborn, and Tracey-Anne Bourne are performers who go back a long way, They many not go back quite so far as 1932, but their ability to conjure up the style and mannerisms of the period is impressive. More occasional performers – Megan Condon, Liam Bailey and Benton Hodges – also show an unerring ability to pick up and run with the material.
As for the play, the action opens up after a rather static opening half-hour, with a sensational twist. The defining moment of drama comes right at the end, however, and its a corker in the way it plays with time and chance. Without giving too much away, there is also an inspired ending, as the cast shuffle to a tune that says it all – Dancing in the Dark.
Review: Tom King Cast Photos: James Carter |
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A classic thriller....at the Dixon Studio
This week, Southend Shakespeare Company are bringing J B Priestley's Dangerous Corner to the Dixon Studio, Westcliff on Sea. We chat to Joanne Seymour, who recently won rave reviews playing the coveted role of Lady Macbeth. This time around Joanne is playing the part of Olwen Peel in this period drama which guarantees to have audiences on the edge of their seats!
What is 'Dangerous Corner' about?
'Dangerous Corner' (1932) was J.B Priestley's first play, after first making his name as a novelist.
Like his best known play, 'An Inspector Calls', the characters all hold dark secrets which are revealed throughout. It is a quite fascinating play, with a glamorous setting, and very entertaining.
How long have you been with Southend Shakespeare Company?
I first performed with them in 2000, and then came back in 2007 to play Katherine in 'The Taming of the Shrew'. I had such a wonderful time, that I have been with them ever since. I have had the opportunity to play some incredible roles, and the people in the company have become good friends.
How long have you been acting?
I started at school, and then was lucky enough to be awarded a grant and place at Mountview Theatre School. That was many years ago.
Over the years I have acted both professionally, and non-professionally. It's a huge part of my life, and very important to me.
What has been your best and worst experience?
I had a small part in a BBC drama not so long ago. I hadn't done anything like that for a long time, and I had a fantastic time. I love TV work if I can get it. I got to have lunch with Stellan Skarsgard and Lesley Manville which was a bonus! I recently fulfilled a life long ambition to play Lady Macbeth too which I loved. I want to go back and do it all again, but better...I have played lots of fabulous roles - the joy of working with SSC.
My worst experience was my first professional engagement. I had to dress as a gorilla for 3 months on tour - it was very hot and the children used to prod me! Things looked up for me when the leading lady unfortunately became unwell, and I got to take over.
Which actor (s) do you most admire and why?
I have seen Kristin Scott-Thomas perform twice. I find her an inspirational actor. She conveys everything by sometimes needing to do nothing. Less is more.
What future roles have you got lined up?
At the moment, nothing for the rest of the year. I recently auditioned for Eastenders - nothing there yet, but I am hoping!
My agent works hard to get me in front of the right people. It's a tough game!
What advice would you give to younger actors?
Work hard preparing for a role- it doesn't just happen. Try and get some training. Technique will always help you.
'Dangerous Corner' (1932) was J.B Priestley's first play, after first making his name as a novelist.
Like his best known play, 'An Inspector Calls', the characters all hold dark secrets which are revealed throughout. It is a quite fascinating play, with a glamorous setting, and very entertaining.
How long have you been with Southend Shakespeare Company?
I first performed with them in 2000, and then came back in 2007 to play Katherine in 'The Taming of the Shrew'. I had such a wonderful time, that I have been with them ever since. I have had the opportunity to play some incredible roles, and the people in the company have become good friends.
How long have you been acting?
I started at school, and then was lucky enough to be awarded a grant and place at Mountview Theatre School. That was many years ago.
Over the years I have acted both professionally, and non-professionally. It's a huge part of my life, and very important to me.
What has been your best and worst experience?
I had a small part in a BBC drama not so long ago. I hadn't done anything like that for a long time, and I had a fantastic time. I love TV work if I can get it. I got to have lunch with Stellan Skarsgard and Lesley Manville which was a bonus! I recently fulfilled a life long ambition to play Lady Macbeth too which I loved. I want to go back and do it all again, but better...I have played lots of fabulous roles - the joy of working with SSC.
My worst experience was my first professional engagement. I had to dress as a gorilla for 3 months on tour - it was very hot and the children used to prod me! Things looked up for me when the leading lady unfortunately became unwell, and I got to take over.
Which actor (s) do you most admire and why?
I have seen Kristin Scott-Thomas perform twice. I find her an inspirational actor. She conveys everything by sometimes needing to do nothing. Less is more.
What future roles have you got lined up?
At the moment, nothing for the rest of the year. I recently auditioned for Eastenders - nothing there yet, but I am hoping!
My agent works hard to get me in front of the right people. It's a tough game!
What advice would you give to younger actors?
Work hard preparing for a role- it doesn't just happen. Try and get some training. Technique will always help you.
Dangerous Corner is one of J.B. Priestley's time plays.
Robert and Freda Caplan are entertaining guests at their country house. After dinner there is a chance remark by one of the guests about a musical cigarette box and a discussion about whether one should always be honest and tell the truth. This ignites a series of devastating revelations, bringing to light a hitherto undiscovered tangle of clandestine relationships and dark secrets, the disclosure of which has tragic consequences. Is it better to “let sleeping dogs lie” and avoid the “dangerous corner”?
Robert and Freda Caplan are entertaining guests at their country house. After dinner there is a chance remark by one of the guests about a musical cigarette box and a discussion about whether one should always be honest and tell the truth. This ignites a series of devastating revelations, bringing to light a hitherto undiscovered tangle of clandestine relationships and dark secrets, the disclosure of which has tragic consequences. Is it better to “let sleeping dogs lie” and avoid the “dangerous corner”?
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Cast (clockwise)
Robert Caplan Andrew Sugden Freda Caplan Tracey-Anne Bourne Betty Whitehouse Megan Condon Gordon Whitehouse Ben Hodges Charles Stanton Liam Bailey Miss Mockeridge Vanessa Osborn Olwen Peel Jo Seymour Director Ian Downie Assistant Directors John Newell, Sandra Smith |
    
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Dangerous Corner is on at the Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff from Tuesday 24th April - Saturday 28th April at 7.45pm.
Tickets available via the box office - https://southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-dangerous-corner-southend-2018
or call the box office on 01702 351135
£15.00 Concessions £1.50 off
Tickets available via the box office - https://southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-dangerous-corner-southend-2018
or call the box office on 01702 351135
£15.00 Concessions £1.50 off