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| Humble Boy is at the Abbey Theatre until Saturday |
For a start in the hands of an accomplished cast and rookie director Ian Rowe, it is very funny - and few could accuse Hamlet of that.
But it also builds in hope for the future and the audiences leaving the Abbey Theatre would be well aware of that - as well as being royally entertained.
The Humble Boy of the title is Felix Humble, son of Flora and the late James Humble and the erstwhile lover - and possibly father to the child of - Rosie Pye.
If that is not enough to keep the action moving, throw in an amorous lover, a loyal retainer and a mysterious gardener and it fairly whizzes along.
Nick Vause takes the role of Felix, a troubled man brought home for his father's funeral who then decides to spend the summer there.
In Nick's capable hands, Felix is a character at his best when inter-reacting with others, most notably his mother Flora and former lover Rosie.
Lesley Gordon as Flora is exceptional - a woman of glamour and hauteur whom the audience starts off loathing and ends up pitying. It is a little bit hard to believe her shared passion with George Pye, played by Roger Scales, but the two milk every bit of comedy from their impending nuptials.
Helen Miller is Rosie Pye, the single mother who is supremely proud of the way she is bringing up her daughter single-handedly, without really knowing who her child's father is.
She really comes into her own with her acute embarrassment countered by sharp ripostes in the garden scene where Flora and George are preparing to celebrate their forthcoming marriage with their families.
But the performance of the evening is that of Sue Dyson as the retainer Mercy Lott, who sees herself as Flora's friend although she is treated so shabbily by her.
Mercy's recitation of grace before the assembly starts eating is a comedic tour de force - the type of performance in the type of role which Sue does brilliantly.
Derek Coe makes up the cast as Jim the Gardener - any guesses anyone?
The whole play is performed on a superb garden set which drew spontaneous applause from the audience as the curtain went up. Its designer was the very talented Mr Rowe whose directorial skills are now firmly established.
Humble Boy runs at the Abbey Theatre until Saturday 16 June and tickets can be obtained from the box office on 01727 857861.
MADELEINE BURTON
© Herts Advertiser 2007. Reproduced by permission