Third Age Theatre Triumphs in London EC2

Not far from St Pauls Cathedral, The Theatre Room, Fredericks Place off the Old Jewry is putting on plays specifically tailored to mainly showcase older actors, through Frontier Theatre Productions founded by James Roose-Evans. It is an intimate venue with charm and appeal, easily accessible either by bus or tube (nearest is Bank).

I saw “Spring” by Susan Hill – award winning writer whose “Woman in Black” running in the West End since 1988 garnered a CBE from The Queen. Susan has won other awards and is a prolific storyteller.  “Spring” features a young actress Portia Van de Braam (recently graduated from The Drama Centre) recounting recent life experiences to a silent witness seated on a bench near a cliff played by older actress Sally Faulkner.  I was unsure how much of it could have been ad- libbed but there was a strong frame around the story and Portia Van de Braam put huge energy into her piece which was a soliloquy  played including crying real tears.  If it was learned verbatim from a text she really excelled as it was brimful of material delivered with verve, simplicity and dynamism. The contrast between the young vivacious actress and the silent, mumsy older one  complete with 60s style headscarf,  leant one to ruminations on how we all have chances to grasp and good and bad experiences especially in love issues, and how we all grow old and then just have mainly memories to nurture, and those who say little or nothing may be harbouring huge passions, emotions, and memories which they may even take to their grave.  It also seemed to allude to the loneliness of many people in this era the twenty first century – views of people down on the beach and a background tape of the sea and seagulls (Sound – Christopher Galler)  rounded the play as well as very bright lighting (Jai Morjaria)  which represented the bright sunshine at the apparent beginning of autumn.

“The Last Dance” by Mitch Hooper starred David Mallinson and Sally Faulkner.  Both actors have extensive experience on stage and in televison and film.   David playing Peter has  recent credits including Romeo and Juliet, Grapes of Wrath and Hamlet (Sheffield Crucible).  Sally  playing Suzanne, has recently been in Dinner, The Great Highway and Abyssinia (National Tour).

The short play “The Last Dance” is set abroad on a terrace with potted trees, two sun loungers and two tables.  Suzanne is enjoying a bottle of white wine and Peter arrives from shopping to discuss when they are to return to the UK  and to generally hob nob with his wife – Suzanne.  There is comedy in store as Peter strains to remember a love song and actors in films which they have both seen, making gentle references to the confusions which the minds of people growing old experience as both of them discuss who these artists might be.  As people age, their brains become more and more full of more and more information and this is evident though the couple are both attractive and have genuinely not “lost it” yet.  Peter knows Suzanne has a health condition which may shorten her life, whilst Suzanne chides Peter for being so accommodating to her many affairs with younger men during the marriage.  She finds it hard to believe he loves her and gently derides him for it. His undeniable devotion includes pouring her more wine when she has had enough and serving her a plate of sandwiches as he knows she needs a snack. Decisions whether to go back to England are discussed as Suzanne bemoans her two childrens’ lack of respect or indeed contact with her, whilst apparently suffering pain due to her health condition.

There is clever use of lighting whilst each of the couple discuss their thoughts independently – ie confiding with the audience with the other actor (“off stage”) through the shading and  beaming of lights.

Finally they both remember the song which Peter had been grasping to call to his conscious mind and they gently sway together to “Save the last dance for me” as the light fades out.  There ends the lyrical comedy of people really between two ages – inasmuch as they are still young and attractive and able to get about but at the same time, losing their memories and suffering from health issues – at least Suzanne is.  Peter is struggling to write a book which is also part of the comic theme.

Amongst the patrons of Frontier Theatre Productions are Ray Cooney OBE, Judi Dench CH DBE, Mike Leigh OBE, Sir Ian McKellen CH CBE, Vanessa Redgrave CBE and Juliet Stevenson CBE.  Anyone wishing to support Frontier’s work should email frontiertcjre@gmail.com – you can then discover where to make donations and other issues to do with Frontier Theatre Productions.

Enjoy!

Penny Nair Price