Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Rutherford and Son Review

Rutherford and Son
Theatre Royal Winchester

This is a brilliant play, with a superb cast and full of shocks and surprises. John Rutherford (Barrie Rutter) is the owner of a glassmaking factory in an unnamed Northern English town. He is dissapointed in his eldest son of the same name (Nicholas Shaw) for not following in his footsteps. What is more he is angry that his has married a woman from London, Mary (Catherine Kinsella).

Concerned about making a fortune for himself, Mary and their newborn son, young John Rutherford has developed a new metal that could save his fathers declining factory, though he regards it as his to sell to any business. His father feigns disinterest, yet he is secretly determined to get hold of the metal. Soon afterwards John Rutherford (Sr.) discovers that his right hand man, Martin (Richard Standing), who has helped his son develop the metal, is having a relationship with his eldest daughter Janet (Sara Poyzer).

On a static set of the dining room of the Rutherford household, the play is basically a performance piece. But within this dark, prison-like room, the play brilliantly shows the family members and those closest to them trying to survive under the watchful gaze of John Rutherford (Barrie Rutter). The best thing about this play though is that the audience cannot predict what will happen next; hope and disaster go hand in hand.

Barrie Rutter said during a post-talk how much he loved the play and that he wanted to put this on, and it really shows in his performance. As the master of the household and owner of the factory, he is overbearing, bullish and always verbally grinds everyone down to submission. At one point he does show a tired and pragmatic side to John Rutherford who wants to do what is best for the factory, yet moments afterwards he turns back into a monster.

Another stand out performance is Sara Poyzer as Janet. At first she despondently keeps to herself, feeling that she is a failure to her father. When the relationship is discovered she shows a different side to her character as she displays pride, joy and hope for her and Martin’s future..

Nicholas Shaw as the young John Rutherford is similar to Andy in Smallholding. Brash and in a world of his own, he continuously boasts that his invention will change his and Mary’s lives altogether, yet he easily becomes defensive when challenged. The play however takes its time to establish his character before he starts spouting empty words, and it is surprisingly sad to watch him struggle to impress his father. For most of the play, Catherine Kinsella plays the obedient wife from London who struggles to settle into her new home. However, she does give Sara Poyzer a run for  her money in the final moments of the play.

Elsewhere, Kate Anthony is a strict and orderly Aunt Anne. Andrew Grose as Richard Rutherford is to the point and tries to be tactful with his father. Wendi Peters provides a point of view from the working classes as Mrs Henderson, when she comes to plead with John Rutherford to re-employ her son, showing defiance and resentment towards the old man. Lastly, Richard Standing plays Martin, an honorable worker whose loyalty to John Rutherford is constantly challenged.

Every actor in this play shines and under the direction of Jonathan Miller they bring the play to life. The play can be morbid and the ending is not a happy one. But beyond that Githa Sowerby has produced a brilliantly written story that keeps on surprising the audience. I could say more about the story but that would be spoiling what is one of my favourite plays so far this year. I recommend it at a high Top Price.

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