10th - 19th July 2008

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From the Birmingham Evening Mail

REBECCA
The Grange Players
Grange Playhouse, Walsall

THIS fine production by Julie Lomas thoroughly deserves the almost breathtaking set, with its mullioned windows, magnificent staircase and fine furniture, backed by lovely lighting effects.

It breathes the atmosphere of the Cornish country house in which it is set just before the Second World War - and the cast, with the servants a dignified and efficient group of props-movers, give the impression of being very much at home in it.
Celia Graveley is a brooding presence as the darkly characterful Mrs Danvers, with Kate Rock responding splendidly as the shy bride who has arrived as the second Mrs de Winter in place of her dead predecessor.

Ian Eaton has some towering moments as de Winter and handles with aplomb his late account of what happened to his first wife.

There is excellent support from the entire company. The greater responsibilities fall on Dexter Whitehead (Frank), David Stone (Colonel Julyan), Adam Lomas (Jack Favell) and, late on, Barrie Farnell (Tabb), with Margaret Wills and Dale Roberts coming through strongly as Beatrice and Giles Lacy.

It is a joy and it runs to July 19.

Rating: ****

John Slim

From the Walsall Observer

REBECCA
The Grange Players
Grange Playhouse
Walsall

Taking your seat in the auditorium before this gripping Daphne du Maurier play it’s impossible not to be struck by the quality of the set, representing the living room and winding staircase in Manderley, a large country house near the Cornish coast.

Superbly constructed by volunteers from the company, it adds realism to the action and poses the question: can the performance of the cast match that stunning visual impact?
Well, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’ in this memorable production of a drama which unfolds as wealthy Maxim de Winter arrives home with his new young bride, but destined to face awkward confrontations about the mysterious death of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca, a few months earlier..

Ian Eaton handles the role of de Winter with great skill, while Kate Rock is convincing as the new Mrs de Winter and Celia Graveley offers the perfect amount of menace required for Mrs Danvers, the black-clad housekeeper still obsessed with memories of Rebecca and resentful of the innocent woman chosen to replace her.

Sound performances, too, from Margaret Wills (Beatrice Lacy), Dale Roberts (Giles Lacy), Dexter Whitehead (Frank Crawley), David Stone (Colonel Julyan), Adam Lomas (Jack Flavell) and Barrie Farnell (William Tabb).

Directed by Julie Lomas and produced by Martin Groves, Rebecca runs to Saturday night (July 19).

Paul Marston