Get that feel-good factor with It's A Wonderful Life at the Priory
- ann-evans
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 7
It’s a Wonderful Life, Priory Theatre Kenilworth, from 4 – 12 April. Based on the Frank Capra 1946 movie. Adapted for the stage by Mary Elliott Nelson. Directed by Anita Dalton,
Review by Ann Evans
It may be almost Easter, but you still can’t beat a feel-good Christmas story and a rendition of Auld Lang Syne ringing in your ears as you make your way home on a mild April evening.
As a film released in 1946, It’s A Wonderful Life - a Frank Capra movie starring James Stewart as George Bailey, is now considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. Adapted for the stage by Mary Elliott Nelson it’s a popular play around UK theatres and beyond. And The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth are currently delighting audiences with their production which runs until 12 April 2025.
Actor Paul Sully takes the lead role, taking on the character of George Bailey exceptionally well. Throughout George's life he has always put others before himself. He is generous to a fault giving up on his own hopes and dreams for the benefit of his community. George runs a small loan company – which the townsfolk of Bedford Falls can come to rather than going to greedy loan shark Jethro Potter – already the richest and most powerful man in town.
The story is told through the eyes of a group of angels alerted by the prayers of George’s friends and family, who are praying for him as his life gets more and more difficult. Clarissa (played delightfully by Sharon Sully) is an angel still trying to gain her wings. She is appointed George’s guardian to go down to earth and try to help him as he is now contemplating suicide, believing that everyone would be better off if he’d never even been born.
With this thought in mind, Clarissa sees this as a way of showing him that his life has in fact been extremely worthwhile. Getting the thumbs up from heaven, Clarissa wipes away George’s past to show him what life would have been like for these townsfolk and others further afield, if he hadn’t been born.
What George discovers is a very different town and community – far worse without his input over the years involving events which are far reaching and devastating. Film buffs have always said that It's A Wonderful Life is loosely based on Dicken's A Christmas Carol and this is more apparent towards the end of the play.
This experience makes George realise that it has been a wonderful life, and longs to be back with his family and neighbourhood, willing to face all his problems, including financial ruin and even jail – just to put things right again for everyone.
When Clarissa returns him to his normal life, George finds that all his friends have rallied around to replace the lost money (no spoilers, but that Jethro Potter has a lot to answer for!) Happily he is no longer facing financial ruin or a jail sentence. The love and respect he has gained from those who know him makes everything worthwhile.
This is definitely a feel-good story with humour, romance and drama where all the actors play their parts really well – a number of the actors take on a variety of different roles. All however, are not only word perfect but speak their lines with strength and clarity – including the child members of the cast who play the young George, his brother and friend.
Well done to everyone: George Bailey – Paul Sully; Clarissa Oddbody – Sharon Sully; Uncle Billy – Stuart Lawson; Mary Hatch – Jo Banbury; Angel Joseph/Gower/Welch/Charlie – Ernie Boxall; Jethro Potter/Harry/Randall – Alex Brown; Bert the cop/Ed/Ernie – Simon Brougham; Violet/Mrs Thompson/Gloria/Ruth – Faye Miles. And of course the director and backstage technicians and front of house team.
Book tickets by calling the Box Office on 0333 666 3366 or visit: https://www.priorytheatre.co.uk/whatson/wonderful-life
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