The Suffolk Free Press review for Playhouse Creatures (November 11th - 15th) 

 

Playhouse Creatures, written by April De Angelis, follows the trials and tribulations of six women, trying to find success in the cutthroat world of restoration theatre. The 17th century was a watershed moment in English theatre, as, for the first time, women were legally allowed to act. However, as the play regularly reminds us, simply because it was legal for women to act, does not mean that it was safe. Knowing this premise, I was expecting an evening of rich costumes, funny wigs, and lashings of Shakesperean dialogue. 

I was in for a shock.

Directed by Helen Arbon at Sudbury’s Quay Theatre, this incarnation of Playhouse Creatures does indeed have its fair share of rich costumes, funny wigs, and quotes from the Bard. What I was not expecting was just how rude the play was going to be. The play uses contemporary dialogue, mixed with a healthy dose of swearing and toilet humour, all of which is delivered with unfailing comic timing by the cast. 

While the vulgar language and East End accents do a fine job in earning laughs, it also serves to highlight the sheer danger female actors faced both on and offstage. The dressing room set often feels like a locker room, with infighting and bickering as their performance looms. Leading the troupe with ruthless efficiency is Mary Betterton, played by Fiona Haskell, who spends her time negotiating with theatre patrons, disciplining her actors, whilst masterfully delivering monologues with poise and precision. Her tolerance for incompetence is low, as Nell Gwyn, played by Beth Sullivan, soon finds out. Gwyn, a newcomer to the theatre, quickly discovers the terror of “drying up” onstage, and her “deer in the headlights” look of terror is unforgettable.

While the stage can be a brutal place, it is nowhere near as dangerous as the world outside it. Rebecca Marshall, played by Ali Crawley, is fiery and foul-mouthed, but is still terrorised as she is stalked by a former lover. Crawley revels in Marshall’s forthright personality, but even that is not enough to protect her as her lover’s episodes of harassment become more harrowing. Serving an even more tragic turn is Sarah Byham’s portrayal of Elizabeth Farley. Farley strikes up a rivalry with Gwyn, and even courts the affections of King Charles II, who becomes enamoured of her performance. Farley’s fortunes fade, however, and in her last scene is heartrending and gut churning in equal measure. Byham lends her performance a ghostly frailty that will haunt you even after the final curtain has fallen. 

It is not all tears, however. Dave Hossack plays a brilliantly comic turn as the Earl of Rochester, contrasting with Lorna Hollister’s earnest and pious Mrs. Barry. Andy Smith plays a hapless Thomas Otway, while Laura Gilbert plays a beautifully blunt and endearing Doll Common. With this latest production, Helen Arbon has delivered a brutally funny, rambunctious, yet tragic rendition of Playhouse Creatures, and both cast and crew should be proud in not only delivering a fabulous performance, but also in remembering those pioneering women who took those first steps in theatrical history.   

Matthew Byham