Extraordinary one-man production and musical accompaniment of Thomas Hardy novel
Under the Greenwood Tree. Saturday 10 October at Ilmington Village Hall. There is further performance of this highly recommended production at Wellesbourne Village Hall (CV35 9NH) on Friday 16 October at 7.30 pm.
Review by Charles Essex.
Under the Greenwood Tree was Thomas Hardy’s second novel, a forerunner to his much better known Far From the Madding Crowd and subsequent Wessex series of novels.
The extremely talented actor Mark Carey adapted the book for the stage and evoked a range of characters in this exceptional one man show with musical accompaniment by ARKangel, the duo of guitarist, and violinist and vocalist, Alan and Katherine Clark respectively.
Mark portrayed 11 characters flawlessly, with a different item of clothing, voice, or monocle, never faltering as each had a rural Dorset accent. The facial expressions and conversation between the characters was exceptional. Here, the astute use of the music by ARKangel acted as a link between scenes or the tone echoed the mood of the scenes. Alan and Catherine set exactly the right tone whether with instrumentals or Catherine’s delightful voice.
The stage was a simple set of a small wicket fence, a stool and church pew, and cardboard shrubbery. However Mark conjured the bucolic scenery through the seasons as he created mental pictures for the audience with wonderful descriptions.
The church choir consisted of a variety of villagers. This is where Mark’s talents were really shown to their best, when he switched between disparate characters with consummate ease. The choir had its nose put out of joint when the vicar decided to use a harmonium, played by the young and attractive local school teacher Fancy Day. Inevitably she attracted suitors, including Dick Dewy, a working man, the pompous and entitled Squire Shiner, and Reverend Maybold. Inevitably only one man won Fancy’s hand, but Mark depicted each magnificently as their hopes were raised or dashed.
There were two notable scenes. At the beginning of the play, the village Christmas dance, when Mark danced holding a dress, which was Fancy, and some competent choreography. At the end of the play, the four main choir members were cardboard heads which popped up above the pew, with Mark giving voice to each.
Mark and ARKangel thoroughly deserved the enthusiastic applause for this remarkable and thoroughly entertaining performance. There is further performance of this highly recommended production at Wellesbourne Village Hall (CV35 9NH) on Friday 16 October at 7.30 pm, tickets from Stratford Theatre Company.
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