REVIEW
Southend Shakespeare Company presents
HARVEY
by Mary Chase
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
17th March - 21 March 2026
Southend Shakespeare Company presents
HARVEY
by Mary Chase
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
17th March - 21 March 2026
Well, I wasn’t expecting that! Not quite sure what I was expecting as I had not enjoyed a previous amateur company’s production even though they professed to be professional. However, this troupe took amateur to another level and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening watching ‘Harvey’.
It took a short time to become used to the over-the-top acting as I wasn’t sure whether or not to categorise it as farce or comedy, it was not a laugh a minute to be classed as the latter but not farcical enough for the former. But who cares, it did not need categorising, it was perfect as it was.
When I say perfect I am not exaggerating. Considering this was opening night the cast did not miss a beat. No missed cues, no fumbled (or mumbled) lines, delivery was first class. Had this been a bigger theatre and audience I would certainly not have questioned the authenticity of it being a professional production. As it was I quite enjoyed the intimate feel of having the actors no more than a few feet away from my second row seat, almost as if I were sitting amongst them at times.
For those old enough to remember, Harvey was originally a film (1950) starring James Stewart in the lead and although I had not seen it I knew the story. Having a little Google about said film I found this: ‘The film is celebrated for its themes of kindness and pleasantness with Stewart’s performance as Elwood being particularly praised for its charm and depth, a timeless classic often remembered for its heart warming and uplifting message’.
David Pridige gave a brilliant performance, maintaining those qualities exemplified by Jimmy Stewart. A truly mesmerising performance not once slipping from the kind and happy soul of Elwood P. Dowd’s personna.
But it would be remiss of me not to give equal recognition to the whole cast who were equally talented and believable in their varied roles. It would pain me to know that there were any unfilled seats for the run of this comedy drama and the first night audience certainly showed their appreciation with unrestrained applause.
I would also mention that props, lighting and costumes were entirely in keeping with the story which is set in the America of 1947, and most important was the clarity and projection of speech. Well done to everyone involved.
I would urge you most strongly to spend a pleasant evening at the theatre to see this splendid production by the Southend Shakespeare Company.
Review: Lynn Carroll
It took a short time to become used to the over-the-top acting as I wasn’t sure whether or not to categorise it as farce or comedy, it was not a laugh a minute to be classed as the latter but not farcical enough for the former. But who cares, it did not need categorising, it was perfect as it was.
When I say perfect I am not exaggerating. Considering this was opening night the cast did not miss a beat. No missed cues, no fumbled (or mumbled) lines, delivery was first class. Had this been a bigger theatre and audience I would certainly not have questioned the authenticity of it being a professional production. As it was I quite enjoyed the intimate feel of having the actors no more than a few feet away from my second row seat, almost as if I were sitting amongst them at times.
For those old enough to remember, Harvey was originally a film (1950) starring James Stewart in the lead and although I had not seen it I knew the story. Having a little Google about said film I found this: ‘The film is celebrated for its themes of kindness and pleasantness with Stewart’s performance as Elwood being particularly praised for its charm and depth, a timeless classic often remembered for its heart warming and uplifting message’.
David Pridige gave a brilliant performance, maintaining those qualities exemplified by Jimmy Stewart. A truly mesmerising performance not once slipping from the kind and happy soul of Elwood P. Dowd’s personna.
But it would be remiss of me not to give equal recognition to the whole cast who were equally talented and believable in their varied roles. It would pain me to know that there were any unfilled seats for the run of this comedy drama and the first night audience certainly showed their appreciation with unrestrained applause.
I would also mention that props, lighting and costumes were entirely in keeping with the story which is set in the America of 1947, and most important was the clarity and projection of speech. Well done to everyone involved.
I would urge you most strongly to spend a pleasant evening at the theatre to see this splendid production by the Southend Shakespeare Company.
Review: Lynn Carroll
Veta Simmons' attempts to find a nice young man for her daughter Myrtle Mae are
thwarted by her brother Elwood and his best friend Harvey (a six-foot white rabbit that
only Elwood can see!) After a mix-up at the sanatorium Veta is committed and the
hunt is on for Elwood and Harvey…!
Mary Chase’s hilarious Pulitzer Prize winning play comes to the Dixon Studio in March.
Elwood P Dowd - David Pridige
Veta Simmons - Vanessa Osborn
Myrtle Mae Simmons - Katie Bysouth
Mrs Chauvenet - Gillian Bates
Miss Johnson - Helen Fisher
Nurse Kelly - Cathy McAdam
Dr Sanderson - Adam Mayhew
Dr Chumley - Mark Baker
Betty Chumley - Carrie Groves
Duane Wilson - Ian Hart
Judge Gafney - Ross Norman Clarke
EJ Lofgren - Denis Foot
Director - Liam Bailey
Assistant Directors - Tracey Anne Bourne, George Bassett
Stage Manager - Tracey-Anne Bourne
Assisted by Helen Fisher and Matt Willis
Lighting Design – Richard Foster
Lighting/Sound/Transport – Liam Bailey
For more information about the SSC visit their website at
southendshakespeare.org.uk
CURTAIN CALL WITH CATHY MCADAM FROM SOUTHEND
When did you start to take an interest in theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?
I’ve always been interested in theatre. When I was very young, my aunt did a lot of amateur dramatic musicals and I always went to see her performances. I was always excited about going to the theatre. As I grew older I became more and more interested in English Literature and really enjoyed reading plays and Shakespeare in particular, which helped my love of theatre to grow. I did go to private Drama lessons when I was in primary school. I worked on some productions in secondary school but in Ireland, where I grew up, amateur dramatics tend to focus on musical theatre, and I really can’t sing! So the opportunities were quite limited for me.
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
My aunt and my sister were always involved in amateur dramatics. They were much better singers than I was! They really sparked my interest in it. A cousin of mine is a relatively famous actor- he was quite an important character in the Game of Thrones franchise.
Have you done any sort of formal training for acting/singing/dancing?
Not really. I always saw acting as a hobby. I did do a degree in English, largely because of my love of literature and drama. I did attend a weekend of workshops with the RSC, which was really inspiring. It was great to get to work with the voice coaches and directors that have worked on such amazing plays. It was even fantastic just to know I was working in an RSC rehearsal room for the weekend!
I’ve always been interested in theatre. When I was very young, my aunt did a lot of amateur dramatic musicals and I always went to see her performances. I was always excited about going to the theatre. As I grew older I became more and more interested in English Literature and really enjoyed reading plays and Shakespeare in particular, which helped my love of theatre to grow. I did go to private Drama lessons when I was in primary school. I worked on some productions in secondary school but in Ireland, where I grew up, amateur dramatics tend to focus on musical theatre, and I really can’t sing! So the opportunities were quite limited for me.
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
My aunt and my sister were always involved in amateur dramatics. They were much better singers than I was! They really sparked my interest in it. A cousin of mine is a relatively famous actor- he was quite an important character in the Game of Thrones franchise.
Have you done any sort of formal training for acting/singing/dancing?
Not really. I always saw acting as a hobby. I did do a degree in English, largely because of my love of literature and drama. I did attend a weekend of workshops with the RSC, which was really inspiring. It was great to get to work with the voice coaches and directors that have worked on such amazing plays. It was even fantastic just to know I was working in an RSC rehearsal room for the weekend!
Cathy in rehearsal
Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?
My only real skill is a fantastic memory for Shakespeare. I tend to learn lines for Shakespearean plays quite quickly. I think it comes from being a secondary school English teacher for 16 years.
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your amdram career to date? The highlight for me was the first play I directed, which was The Playboy of the Western World. It was my first time directing, so it was a huge challenge and I was quite terrified. I was really blessed with an amazing cast and backstage crew for it, and it really developed my confidence in directing. I’ve directed lots of plays since then and it’s something I really enjoy doing now.
What has been your most embarrassing moment involving drama, on or off stage? I think it was probably in Learned Ladies in 2018. There was a scene where James Carter was chasing me around the stage and I had a long wig on. When he went to leave the stage, my wig had got caught in his costume somehow, and I ended up being pulled around the stage with him while we tried to untangle ourselves.
How do you earn your living?
I was a secondary school teacher for 16 years. I now work for the NHS as a child and adolescent counsellor.
Following on from the previous question, has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage activities? Not so much in my current job. It was really useful in teaching. I always brought my classes to see productions if we were performing a text that they were studying. The Southend Shakespeare Company have always been really accommodating with this. They’ve put on additional Q&A sessions for my students following performances, and they even did an additional afternoon matinee of Macbeth because it sold out so quickly.
Are your friends mostly involved in theatre - perhaps even working with you on a regular basis - or do you socialise across a wider circle?
The vast majority of my friends are in theatre. It’s a huge part of my life and it takes up a lot of time, so you really have to like the people you do it with. Rehearsals and show week are a lot more fun when you’re with your friends. I also socialise with a wider circle- I have friends from work and friends at home in Ireland as well.
Which actor do you most admire and why?
I really admire Nicola Coughlan. She’s very talented and incredibly versatile. I admire how good she is at accents- this is something I’ve never mastered. She also uses her popularity to talk about causes that mean a lot to her, and I think that’s valuable. She seems like a genuinely nice person as well.
What role would you most like to play and why?
I’ve always wanted to play Hermia in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ It’s a really funny part, and my favourite Shakespearean quote is about Hermia- ‘Though she be but little she is fierce.’ As someone who is only 5’2, this appeals to me!
Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?
Thankfully not yet. Never say never.
Tell us a bit about your part in "Harvey".
I play Ruth Kelly- a nurse in a private psychiatric hospital. She’s desperately in love with the doctor, who isn’t always very nice to her. She gets caught up in all the madness surrounding the main character- Elwood P. Dowd, and I think she learns some things along the way.
Any plans for the future, after "Harvey?”
I am directing our summer show this year, which is Macbeth. The auditions will start about 2 weeks after Harvey finishes, so I’ll have a short break before getting going on that. I haven’t though too much about later in the year yet.
Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to others involved in drama?
I think it’s different for everyone. I’m an active and aural learner, so I learn them best by saying them out loud while pacing up and down. When I know them better, I’ll say them out loud while cooking or cleaning. There are lots of quizzes online that tell you what type of learner you are, and knowing your learning style might help you to learn your lines more effectively. That’s probably the best advice I can give.