St Benedict's School performs 'A Kind of Loving'

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 7th of March 2011

The Cloisters at St Benedict's, Ealing was the setting for this year's school production of 'A Kind of Loving', directed by Ms Katie Ravenscroft. Based on the 1960 novel of the same name by Stan Barstow the play focuses on the social and historical context of life in the North of England.

The main characters Vic and Ingrid meet and fall in love. Or is it love? When the inevitable unplanned pregnancy follows along with a hasty marriage they have to move into Ingrid's home and their fate seems sealed. Living with the in laws proves almost to be the breaking point in an already faltering relationship.

Seventeen year old Matthew Roberts gave a towering performance as Vic. On stage for practically the entire two and half hours he displayed the gamut of emotions facing the protagonist with a maturity beyond his years. Hester Sharman as Ingrid, the 'siren of the typing pool' smothered in 'Desire' perfume was his admirable partner. Jonathan Cheriyan played the role of Mrs Rothwell, 'the mother-in-law from hell', with astonishing skill. Dressed in fake fur, beehive and a pink twin set he was compelling, with a dismissive 'tut' here, an arched eyebrow there and looks which could kill. Max Kentish was impressive as Mr van Huyten, comically slicking back an eyebrow as he advanced mantis like upon an unsuspecting female customer. The entire cast tackled the dialect effectively, most notably Sebastian Umrigar (Mr Brown) with booming gusto and Georgia Lambert (Dorothy) with her gossiping manner and all knowing strut.

Musical performances from backing singers and band added a special dimension to the production with songs from the '60s.

Ms Julie Greenhough, English teacher at St Benedict's School, summed up the impact of the play. 'Was this a depressing play or one that speaks to us still? With the UK having the highest teenage pregnancy rate amongst OECD developed countries and with more than half of twenty something young men in Britain still living with their parents maybe it is more pertinent than we realise. Perhaps it is time to get the novel back into print!'