18.47°C It is 60 years since The Killing of Sister George opened to critical acclaim and a rapturous reception (at least in the West End), so it is timely that this revival by Headgate Theatre Productions arrives in Colchester this week.
For anyone who likes their comedy dark, bitter, and biting, then this play, written by Frank Marcus and directed with great precision by Paul T Davies, is for you. It is still incredibly relevant and, perhaps, even more poignant today than it was sixty years ago.
The action centres on the flat occupied by June Buckridge, who plays Sister George in the extremely popular radio soap opera Applehurst. Sister George is the most popular character in the soap; a District Nurse who administers help, advice, and support to the residents as she putters around the village on her moped. The character in the soap, however, is far removed from the reality of the actress at home. June is a bullying, abusive, narcissistic monster who makes life a misery for her flat-sharing partner, Alice ‘Childie’ McNaught. Problems arise when Mrs Mercy Croft, a BBC TV executive and Agony Aunt, arrives to deliver the news that, with Applehurst’s ratings dwindling, drastic action needs to be taken. June calls on the services of her friend and neighbour, the mysterious mystic Madame Xenia, to predict what lies in store.
This four-hander needs delicate handling and excellent timing, and the talented cast in this production pull it off with aplomb. Sasha Halls as June/Sister George has great stage presence and brings this difficult character to life with subtlety and a sureness of touch. Her treatment of ‘Childie’ could be even nastier, but this should improve through the run. Heidi Mussetta’s ‘Childie’ is suitably vulnerable as the abused partner. It’s a layered performance, with her compliance to June’s abusive behaviour masking a feistiness that lies under the surface, rarely coming to the fore. The chemistry between the two main characters works well, despite the age difference not being as stark as in many other performances of Sister George, where the overbearing, older woman takes control over her immature and younger companion.
Gina MacMillan, as Mrs Mercy Croft, is a joy. She is like a cross between Margaret Thatcher and Hyacinth Bucket, with a ruthlessness and focus that is utterly believable, as befits a woman who has reached the upper echelons of power within the BBC. We see how she manipulates the situation, and her predatory instincts are revealed in the second half to both Childie and George. Gina is just right for the role, and her assuredness will grow throughout the run.
Sarah Ellen Young as Madame Xenia almost steals the whole show. It’s a brilliant performance of superb comic timing and physicality. Her scenes bring a lightness to the whole play, and she earns the biggest laughs. The production is worth seeing for Sarah Ellen’s performance alone, let alone the rest of the terrific cast and all its other qualities.
Some words about the behind-the-scenes team that help bring this production to life are definitely required. The set by Dave King, Alistair Hoford, Jonathan Tann, and Alan Price is spot on for its time, and the many props are also in keeping with the period. A big shout out to Isobel Sullivan and Judith Peeling for the wardrobe and costumes, which are perfect. The lighting design by Mike Sullivan is so assured that, like a good football referee, you don’t even notice it.
The Killing of Sister George could come across as a period piece. The fact that it doesn’t is a tribute to Paul T Davies and the cast. The portrayal of lesbianism was groundbreaking in the mid-sixties, and there was some criticism back then about how those characters were perceived as negative, abusive, and predatory. Today, we can view it through a different lens, with the cult of celebrity bringing its own pressure and cancel culture a force to be reckoned with.
This production needs to be seen not for nostalgic reasons but as a dark comedy that is as relevant to the here and now as it’s ever been.
Headgate Theatre Productions presents The Killing of Sister George at. The Headgate Theatre until Saturday 1 March.
Tickets are available from www.headgatetheatre.co.uk
Reviewed by Tim Young
