BWW Reviews: THE HIRED MAN, Landor Theatre, Aug 4 2011

Kate Finburg

Melvyn Bragg's story of a Cumbrian community's struggle to survive in the 1890s has themes most everyone can identify with. In The Hired Man, difficult decisions are dealt with, only to have devastating consequences.

Based on Bragg's memories of his grandfather, who did menial work on a farm before risking his life down the pits and in the First World War, The Hired Man focuses on one family in particular whose main breadwinner struggles to provide in tough economic times.

John Tallentire's journey from young and idealistic farm hand to burdened war hero is played with sensitivity by recent graduate from the Guildford School of Acting Joe Maxwell.

His wife, Emily, is played by another recent grad of Guildford, Catherine Mort, and it seems the class of 2011 are blessed with sublime singing talent as Mort's voice will break hearts as she sings about her own being crushed.

The other brothers Tallentire are played by Martin Neely and Sean-Paul Jenkinson, different sides of the same penny with their views about life and work, but both fiercely loyal to the family.

It was a nice surprise to see Abigail Matthews and Ben McMath, supporting cast members in the first half, come to prominent roles in the second playing the Tallentire children, May and Harry. Both did a fine job portraying the innocence of childhood growing to maturity.

The superb ensemble give weight to all of the musical numbers; their voices don't overpower in the small venue, rather fill it with raw emotion.

Perfectly suited to the intimacy of the Landor, Andrew Keates's direction fully immerses the audience into the characters' spirit, passion and determination to do the best by themselves and their families.

The Hired Man is a must-see in this setting - it is surely a matter of time before someone stages it in a larger theatre.

The Hired Man runs at the Landor Theatre, Clapham North until August 27th

 

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