13.18°C Review by Keep Colchester Cool Theatre Editor Paul T. Davies
Probably best known to a generation of moviegoers for the 1982 film, which gave Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn late-career Oscars, Ernest Thompson’s gentle, poignant and very funny play is about memories, family, love and the complications that arise in older age. On Golden Pond, presented by Headgate Theatre Productions at the Headgate Theatre in Colchester, is set in Maine. Norman and Ethel return to their summer cabin on Golden Pond, where they have rested each summer for decades.
Their estranged daughter, Chelsea, arrives with new boyfriend Billy Ray and his son Billy Ray Junior, whom they leave for the summer, and a bond develops between the teenager and Norman. Whilst very little drama happens in the play, the estrangement between father and daughter feels strangely muted, death is spoken of but never a threat – it has a wonderful humour and many laugh-out-loud moments.
Director Liz Mullen has assembled a very good cast who deliver the play with aplomb. Les Chisnall ages up perfectly to play the mischievous, set-in-his-ways Norman, who may be showing signs of dementia. Skilfully avoiding caricature, his performance is believable and delivers some of the play’s funniest lines. He is matched by Jenni Horn as Ethel, holding everything together with love, frustration and energy, making this partnership entirely believable.
As the returning Chelsea after eight years, Elly Kent-Johnson brings wonderful poignancy to the back story, making it moving and dignified. William Torry captures the progression of a rebellious young boy into the beginnings of a mature young man very well, and Mark Russell effectively embodies his father’s neurosis. Richard Hill has a wonderful turn as Mailman Charlie, affable and nice, and still carrying a torch for his first love, Chelsea.
It is performed on a wonderful set – well done to Dave King, Stephen Peeling, and their team – and the costumes and props are really evocative of the era. Whilst there were some blips on opening night, these will be ironed out as the company gains confidence. The best comedy is not always in farcical, slapstick productions, but also in the gentle observations of this little gem of a play.
On Golden Pond runs until Saturday, 28th February. Tickets are available.
