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An interesting study on the position of women beneath the veneer of respectability of Edwardian society, with a reminder of some of the horrendous treatment different social classes were subjected to.Summary
Rating
OK
The setting is an Edwardian household where Lady Caroline Braithwaite (Vikki Thompson) has joined the suffragette movement, much to the annoyance of her husband (James Stephen Finn). There are two other women in the house (that we see), her daughter Cordelia (Larissa Pinkham) and a maidservant (Penny Bosworth). The maid is forced by Lady Caroline to join her in a suffragette march and both end up getting arrested. There are consequences. The household is then augmented by a butler played with hovering menace by Stephen Ball, someone I wouldn’t want to get on the bad side with, and to complete the cast, a jovial but equally menacing Doctor (Paul White).
The newly reopened Soho Poly is a small theatre, with seating close enough to the action to be able to see every expression and movement. It also has very good acoustics. Any and all character emotions and reactions can safely be conveyed by changes in expression, tone or gesture in the knowledge that the audience has a good view, and can hear clearly. Therefore there’s really no need to shout or go overboard with the non verbals, it just becomes a distraction. The most effective scenes are those where things are much calmer and conversations at a more normal volume. Of course, during the course of the play there are occasions when a sudden scream or loud exclamation are entirely appropriate. Unfortunately, their impact is somewhat diminished by what had gone before.
The set is well done, serving as all of the locations at all times. Sometimes characters remain on stage whilst the action is elsewhere. With subdued lighting cleverly placed this does not disrupt the flow in any way, but rather help add to the sense that events continue to happen elsewhere. Turning off the lights for a couple of seconds at the end of each scene acts as a kind of punctuation and indicates a change in location. There’s quite a bit of running about at times which – especially in light of a recent high profile fall – did make me a little nervous; not much room in the small stage area and an unexpected leg stretch by an audience member could have led to catastrophe! I should also mention the inspired choice of music at either end of the Acts.
The title of the play being what it is, I was expecting the play to be mainly about the suffrage movement. Instead it is more a focus on the position of women in Edwardian society and the horrendous things many were subjected to. The different relationships between the women is interesting but I would have liked to have seen these explored just a little more. At the same time, maybe twenty minutes or so could be cut elsewhere to make things sharper. Described as a black comedy the most notable funny moments are provided by Finn, being most thought provoking when occurring at times of great distress for others.
Hourglass could do with some scenes being trimmed back and a change in the direction more suited to the venue. However, it is still an interesting study of the position of women beneath the veneer of Edwardian respectability.
Written by: Amy Leigh-Matthews and Vikki Thompson
Directed by: Amy Leigh-Matthews
Produced by: Lipstick Rebel Productions
Hourglass has finished its run at Soho Poly and is now playing at Actor’s East Theatre until Sunday 30 June. Further information and booking can be found here.
