Ladies In Lavender
July 2024
Written by Charles Dance
adapted for stage by Shaun McKenna
Directed by Mark Kitchener
Assisted by Andrew Manktelow
Cast List
Janet Widdington
Linda Brown
Ursula Widdington
Jan Wyatt
Andrea Marowski
Daniel Harbour
Dorcas
Frances Hinde
Olga Danilof
Jill Balderston
Dr Mead
Neil Balderston
Set Designer
Phill Willing
Stage Manager
Gary Wyatt
Set Construction
Hugh Bailey, Geoff Bolden, Alan Godman, Lawrence Davis, and Phill Willing
Prompt
Faye Wyatt
Props
Carol Bolden
Lighting
Freya Foster
Sound
Geoff Bolden
Costumes
Claire Feekings (Sourced via the Oasthouse Wardrobe and cast members)
NODA Review
Thursday 11th July 2024
RaTS, thank you for choosing 'Ladies in Lavender'; this charming, gentle comedy, with delightful performances on a splendid looking set (Phill Willing) getting 4 rooms onto the Oasthouse Theatre stage, I would have thought was impossible, but Phill and his crew succeeded, just so perfect.
A simple story with comedy and drama entwined. The play is set in the 1930s, after the first World War and there remains some distrust of the Germans, especially with a certain Mr Hitler.
The sisters, Janet (Linda Brown) and Ursula (Jan Wyatt) have little in their lives and therefore the discovery of a young man, Andrea Marowski (Dan Harbour) on the beach following a very strong storm, is a wonderful diversion in their humdrum lives. They establish that Andrea is actually Polish and they nurse him back to health and teach him English as he recovers from a nasty injury to his leg. They discover that Andrea is a violinist, but the opportunity arises to further his opportunities of his career comes from a meeting with Olga Danilof (Jill Balderston). The sisters are understandably reluctant to let go of their dear boy who has brought some meaning to their lives. This part in the play touches the darker side of humanity. The local doctor, Dr Mead (Neil Balderston), has loaned Andrea his violin and wants it back, when he gets jealous as he sees the young man talking with Olga, who he is trying to date.
There is a nice happy ending, as Andrea's talent is discovered in America and he leaves Cornwall to big fame and fortune, but he never forgets his Ladies in Lavender, who wallow in his success in the comfort of their cottage, listening to his concerts on their precious radio and gramophone.
With a cast of six, the direction by Mark Kitchener was foremost in this 'Ladies in Lavender' taking all his cast and bringing out wonderful characterizations, using the wonderful set to its fullest. Ursula's vulnerability and Janet's stability came through. Andrea and Olga's accents were spot on, especially Olga's &endash; very believable indeed. Frances Hinde as Dorcas was my star of the show (her comedy timing was impeccable) and Doctor Mead's naivety in love matters shone through. This 'Ladies in Lavender'was a joy to watch, it's a pity that the auditorium wasn't fuller as it deserves full houses, set, sound, props, lighting, and costumes, all adding to stupendous direction by Mark's direction of 'Ladies in Lavender'. I wouldn't have missed if for the world, and I nearly did!
Gordon Harris,
NODA SE District 5
RaTS, thank you for choosing 'Ladies in Lavender'; this charming, gentle comedy, with delightful performances on a splendid looking set (Phill Willing) getting 4 rooms onto the Oasthouse Theatre stage, I would have thought was impossible, but Phill and his crew succeeded, just so perfect.
A simple story with comedy and drama entwined. The play is set in the 1930s, after the first World War and there remains some distrust of the Germans, especially with a certain Mr Hitler.
The sisters, Janet (Linda Brown) and Ursula (Jan Wyatt) have little in their lives and therefore the discovery of a young man, Andrea Marowski (Dan Harbour) on the beach following a very strong storm, is a wonderful diversion in their humdrum lives. They establish that Andrea is actually Polish and they nurse him back to health and teach him English as he recovers from a nasty injury to his leg. They discover that Andrea is a violinist, but the opportunity arises to further his opportunities of his career comes from a meeting with Olga Danilof (Jill Balderston). The sisters are understandably reluctant to let go of their dear boy who has brought some meaning to their lives. This part in the play touches the darker side of humanity. The local doctor, Dr Mead (Neil Balderston), has loaned Andrea his violin and wants it back, when he gets jealous as he sees the young man talking with Olga, who he is trying to date.
There is a nice happy ending, as Andrea's talent is discovered in America and he leaves Cornwall to big fame and fortune, but he never forgets his Ladies in Lavender, who wallow in his success in the comfort of their cottage, listening to his concerts on their precious radio and gramophone.
With a cast of six, the direction by Mark Kitchener was foremost in this 'Ladies in Lavender' taking all his cast and bringing out wonderful characterizations, using the wonderful set to its fullest. Ursula's vulnerability and Janet's stability came through. Andrea and Olga's accents were spot on, especially Olga's &endash; very believable indeed. Frances Hinde as Dorcas was my star of the show (her comedy timing was impeccable) and Doctor Mead's naivety in love matters shone through. This 'Ladies in Lavender'was a joy to watch, it's a pity that the auditorium wasn't fuller as it deserves full houses, set, sound, props, lighting, and costumes, all adding to stupendous direction by Mark's direction of 'Ladies in Lavender'. I wouldn't have missed if for the world, and I nearly did!
Gordon Harris,
NODA SE District 5
This play is adapted from Charles Dance's screenplay for his 2004 film of the same name (starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith), which was itself based on a 1908 short story by William J. Locke.
Set in Cornwall in the mid-1930s, the play tells of two spinster sisters, Ursula and Janet Widdington. Their lives are turned upside down when they discover a young man washed ashore on the beach, close to death. They nurse him back to health and discover he is a talented Polish violinist, on his way to seek a career in the USA. Despite her sister's concerns, Ursula falls in love with Andrea. It leads to a journey of discovery for her and a poignant ending.