Julia
Course as Gloria Clandon, Tara Rosling as Mrs. Lanfrey Clandon, Peter Krantz as
Finch M’Comas, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff as Philip Clandon and Jennifer
Dzialoszynski as Dolly Clandon. Photo by David Cooper
Reviewed by James Karas
You Never Can Tell, one
of Bernard Shaw’s early comedies, gets a spirited production at the Royal
George Theatre. Director Jim Mezon throws in everything to generate energy and
excitement in a play that is light by Shavian standards and by no means one of
his best. But Shaw never lets you off without commentary about women’s rights,
meritocracy and social issues.
The play is set in a seaside resort in southern England where we meet
the Clandons. They are not your typical family. Mrs. Clandon (Tara Rosling), abandoned
her husband and England and has been living in Madeira for 18 years with her
twins. This is her first trip back to England. She is smart, self-supporting
and revolutionary in her views.
Her twins Philip (Stephen Jackman-Torkoff) and Dolly (Jennifer
Dzialoszynski) are supercharged, giddy, sometimes annoying and frequently very
funny.
She has a very serious daughter, Gloria (Julia Course), who is made to
look very unattractive in the early scenes. She has a nose that is so sharp she
can cut down trees with it. Near the end
of the play, she heaves her ugly glasses and appears very attractive. Course
carries herself well as the self-possessed, self-assured new woman of the
twentieth century who eventually falls in love.
The “opposite” of the Clandon children is the penniless dentist
Valentine (Gray Powell). He has had only one patient, he is willing to do
anything for a few shillings and is a lively young man. Powell handles the role
with relish.
Jennifer Dzialoszynski, Tara Rosling, Stephen
Jackman-Torkoff and Gray Powell. Photo by Emily Cooper.
The Clandon children have a peculiar problem: they do not know who their
father is and demand that their mother tell them.
Patrick McManus plays the dour, irascible and morose Fergus, the father
of the Clandon children. His red cheeks bespeak his drinking habits and his
temper makes him funny despite himself. Peter Krantz has the delightful role of
Finch M’Comus, a solicitor, who can’t get anywhere with anything. He is funny.
The play has a waiter who is stiff, proper, wise and amusing. Peter
Millard plays William with ritualistic movements and comes to dominate the
scenes that he is in.
The sets by Leslie Frankish from the dentist’s office to scenes in the
hotel are bright, colourful and indeed help create a carnival atmosphere
suitable to a play where anything is possible and you never can tell what will
happen next.
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