Triumvirate of actors deliver an 11 out of 10 production

L-R Brian Darnley and Graham Mason play Alan Bennett. Photo credit Chris Clarke.

The Lady in The Van by Alan Bennett. Performed at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 6 – 13 June. Director Jo Knight.

Review by Charles Essex.

Alan Bennett’s description of a 15-year relationship with Miss Shepherd (Pamela Hickson), whose van gradually got closer and closer to his driveway until it finally ended up parking there permanently, was delivered with humour, tension and poignancy. 

The older Alan (Brian Darnley) and younger Alan (Graham Mason) interact with Miss Shepherd in a truly believable relationship as they jostle, spar, frustrate, provoke and irritate each other.  It is a tribute to the quality of the acting of all three that the pace never dropped as they delivered a huge quantity of dialogue virtually flawlessly and kept the audience engaged throughout. 

Pamela Hickson as Miss Shepherd. Photo by Chris Clarke.

Brian acted as a retrospective narrator, reminding his younger self of some truths, apart from bits that weren’t (“Learn to lie” was the advice he gave to his younger self).  Director Jo Knight cleverly started many scenes with two actors appearing together and freezing briefly, whilst Brian set the scene.  This enhanced the effect, whether comic or confrontational, and there was not a weak performance from any of the cast as the actors’ timing and facial expressions were impeccable.

Elizabeth Foster’s choice of costumes was terrific for Brian and Graham, who were dressed identically throughout in Alan’s trademark sleeveless pullovers and ties.  Ginny Oliver and Emily Parker deserve credit for costumes and dressing Pamela, who required numerous changes into increasingly filthy outfits.  The stage consisted of the van, ingeniously made with just enough but not too much exposure of the interior to stage right, and the study to stage left where Brian recorded Alan’s memoires whilst recalling numerous interactions with Miss Shepherd, that she and Graham then acted out.

Pamela Hickson and Graham Mason. Photo by Chris Clarke.

Pamela gave one of the best performances of The Bear Pit’s strong oeuvre of productions over the years, which is saying something.  She captured Miss Shepherd’s initial other-worldliness and joyful flights of fancy before she descended into self-delusion.  She conveyed Miss Shepherd’s almost perpetual curmudgeonly attitude, ingratitude and self-centeredness.  Yet there was a growing tenderness and patience in Graham’s approach as Pamela sensitively and convincingly related Miss Shepherd’s youth and the Catholic guilt and false doctrinal teaching that had done a lifetime of damage.

Several members of the large cast also gave first rate performances.  Jill le Mesurier was convincing as Alan’s working-class Mam, sad that he seemed to give more attention and care to a stranger than to her.  Alan’s neighbour Rufus (Barry Purchase-Rathbone) epitomised the Islington-Camden lefties who cared about those in need so long as they kept them at arm’s length.  Sue Chaperlin delivered some great lines as the social worker, who ‘understood’ but did not listen.

This is a must-see production and deserves full houses.

 For tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/bear-pit-theatre/the-lady-in-the-van/e-kqmdkk or call 0333 666 3366.