Art -- 7 months ago
The Review – The Winslow Boy, the Old Vic
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Terence Rattigan’s compelling drama The Winslow Boy comes to life this season on stage at The Old Vic theatre in London’s Waterloo. If you aren’t already familiar with the play be prepared for a storyline that’ll grip you from the start, taking you through the rough and tumbles of Middle Class family life in the Edwardian era.
Driven by a passionate belief in justice whatever the personal cost, Arthur Winslow sets out to prove his son’s innocence when he is accused of theft. This moving story pits the rights of the individual against the will of the state. A fight for truth, played out under the media spotlight, tests one family to its very limit. Directed by Olivier award-winner Lindsay Posner, the play is comically and heart-wrenchingly brilliant from start to finish. Light-hearted hilarity is generously balanced by moments of intense anxiety, courage and determination as the Winslow family unravels their lives to accommodate the injustice of both the court and the press.
Henry Goodman is truly magnificent on stage, demonstrating an admirable mix of pure anguish, love and honour on set as he attempts to support his family through a whirlwind journey that puts all members of the cast to the test. Meanwhile, Deborah Findlay is simply delightful as the oblivious but loving wife whose ignorance towards current affairs makes for a very comical series of scenes. Nick Hendrix, Naomi Frederick and Charlie Rowe play out the lives of the Winslow children with charisma, charm and sensibility. Set in the drawing room of the Winslow’s family home one follows the plot over the course of the three hour performance with unwavering attention and a longing for the curtains not to close.
The play will be running through to 25th May. Tickets are available online: bookings.oldvictheatre.com
By Emma Corbett
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