Theatre Editor Paul T. Davies reviews Hobson’s Choice, presented by 3 Wishes Theatre at the Headgate Theatre.

Following their award-winning Colchester Fringe production of 4.48 Psychosis, 3 Wishes Theatre return to Harold Brighouse’s 1915 classic, a time when men were men and women held up over half the sky. Hobson’s shoe and boot shop is ruled by tyrannical drunkard Henry Hobson, whose three daughters work unpaid in the shop. Whilst he spends most of his time drinking with fellow businessmen in the Moonrakers pub, eldest daughter Maggie, firmly put “on the shelf” by her father, hatches a plot to marry talented bootmaker Will Mossop and set up their own business. One of the most interesting aspects of this play is that it does not feel dated at all; Maggie is ahead of her time in her strength, her demands and her success. The story is brought to life by an excellent ensemble under the superb direction of Wendy Smith, who makes the parallels with the period clear.

Acting totally against type, Tim Young plays Henry Hobson with jagged gruffness, and it is a joy to watch him being outplayed by Maggie as he becomes increasingly bewildered. Lucia Fox fully inhabits the character of Maggie, earning huge admiration from the audience. George Penny is an absolute delight as Will, bringing the house down with his innocence and trepidation, while skilfully conveying his growing confidence under Maggie’s tutelage. The scenes between Maggie and Will are outstanding examples of excellent comic timing. Claire Walkinshaw and Alice Molnar capture sibling rivalry and snobbishness perfectly as Alice and Vicky, while their suitors are vividly brought to life by Rowan Donaldson and Ben Maytham. Chris Austin is hilarious as pinny wearing Tubby, and Kevin Inkskip is a wonderfully engaging Jim, Hobson’s friend. Special mention must go to Dean Bartholomew as Dr McFarlane, an excellent, straight-talking Scottish doctor dispensing good sense and warnings about Hobson’s alcoholism. Playing both extremes of the class divide, Holly Hipwell gives a strong performance as Ada Figgins, while Sallie Mills Lewis brings authority and gravitas to Mrs Hepworth.

At the performance I attended, the play began with an air of tension, and it took a few minutes for the cast to settle. Played in traverse, they also need to ensure that diction and volume remain consistently strong. Nonetheless, it is striking how relevant the play still feels, a revival worth polishing your best boots to attend.

Photo credits: Jonathan Dadds