To some, it may have been an odd decision to resurrect a drama that first saw light of day more than a century ago – even one that came from the pen of J M Barrie, creator of the classic Peter Pan.
However, with period drama becoming the in thing, plans were put in place to revive a comedy that was such a hit up to the end of the 1930s that it had a chocolate brand named after it.
The scheme had to be put to bed when the pandemic closed all theatres but almost three years to the day since performances were cancelled Quality Street has once again been opened to the New Vic public and you just have to believe its absence over the past years has made the audience’s heart grow that much fonder towards what is a charming slice of theatre.
Set in Regency England, the play tells the story of Phoebe (Paula Lane of Coronation Street) who is a young woman living with her elder sister Susan (Louisa-May Parker). Phoebe is convinced that local gentleman Valentine Brown (Aron Julius) is about to pop the question – an act that will not only take Phoebe “off the shelf” but will also solve the family’s financial problems following a disastrous investment that has left them almost destitute.
Such hopes are quickly dashed when Mr Brown announces that, far from plighting his troth, he has been fired up by patriotism and has enlisted to fight in the Napoleonic Wars. When Brown returns to Quality Street after victory at Waterloo, he finds that the intervening years have not been kind to Phoebe.
Forced to open a not-too-successful school to make ends meet, Phoebe feels that romance has passed her by. Now aged thirty, she has gone beyond the then-accepted limit of twenty-five to have found a partner for life and her feelings are magnified when her former beau remarks on how tired she looks.
Phoebe decides to re-invent herself as Miss Livvy – a flirtatious young thing who quickly attracts lots of attention from the returning menfolk and captures Brown’s eye. But the Captain admits that his love is for Phoebe and is desperate to renew his relationship with her.
In scenes reminiscent of all classic farces, there is much confusion as the sisters attempt to hide the fact that Phoebe/Livvy are the same person, especially with nosy neighbours Mary Willoughby (Alicia McKenzie) and Fanny (Jelani D’Aguilar) watching every move. Livvy is eventually removed from the scene in a comic and ingenious way to smooth the path to a happy ending.
There is much to commend in the acting from the main characters who interact well on the stage. Lane and Parker are perfect as partners in crime as they set up their deception and the latter proves a sympathetic shoulder as Lane despairs the loss of her youth despite still having a flag to fly with some very convincing acting in these poignant scenes
Julius and Lane are also perfectly cast. The customs of the time mean that they both have to be restrained in their emotions towards each other but their mutual affections come shining through and the audience burst into spontaneous applause when they finally hugged and kissed.
The main cast members all put in assured performances but they are ably backed by a supporting cast who all contribute to the drama as they each play a variety of characters. McKenzie and D’Aguilar are the perfect tittle-tattlers and busybodies; Alicia Imelda is convincing as the young Charlotte who cannot believe she has been passed over for the elder Phoebe; Gilly Tompkins provides much humour in her role as maid Patty and there is assured acting from Alex Moran and Jamie Smelt in their varied roles.
There is also the added twist of scenes involving former workers at John Mackintosh as they reminisce about life at the chocolate manufacturer and join the cast in the closing stages as they give their verdict on the drama that has unfolded before them.
That verdict is undoubtedly positive and so it should be. For those of a certain age, farce was a staple diet of theatre but the evolution of Quality Street shows that it provides enjoyment for all. The addition of characters from the workforce is a masterstroke, D’Aguilar plays his female roles with such cheeky aplomb that the diversity becomes natural and unnoticed and body-popping was probably not part of the 19th Century quadrille.
Much is made of the significance of gardens in the dialogue. Flowers – like romance and partners – rejuvenate on a regular basis to provide love and pleasure anew. Similarly, Quality Street is like a well-tended garden that allows the audience to relax in its surroundings and be enveloped by the sweetness of its perfume. Northern Broadsides have picked a beautiful bouquet for the viewers’ pleasure.
Quality Street has a running time of 2 hours 30 minutes including interval and continues until March 25th. For ticket information contact 01782 717962 or tickets@newvictheatre.org.uk
