Photographer: Robert Day
J.B Priestley Time and the Conways explores the emotions of a family at two different points in time, reflecting on how life has turned out, and still gripped by the thought of what might have been. It shares much with Priestley’ much-more famous work, An Inspector Calls. However, while the momentum in that play was driven by an outside character, the people of the Conways family slowly and quietly rip themselves apart as they convene at two different times in their lives. The structure of the play, bouncing between past and future and back again, allows Priestly to explore a theory of time, whilst also injecting his script with both the light-hearted and poignant irony of hindsight.
Nottingham Playhouse presents a faithful adaptation of the 1937 play, yet through its acting, direction and design, manages to imbue the piece with a sense of freshness that enlivens the proceedings and prevents it from becoming another dull parlour drama.
Although Time and Conways takes place within a single room, the Playhouse’s production never feels too static thanks to Madeleine Girling’s set design. The backdrop cleverly uses a series of translucent screens to give the audience a subtle look at the characters’ pasts, portrayed by shadowy actors moving back and forth behind the screens. Myriad reflective surfaces dotted around the stage add to the play’s theme of memory and reflection by providing distorted glimpses of the actors and set; literal mirrors of the characters and their situation, in effect.
The cast gives a vibrant, engaging performance which every so often borders on exaggeration - something that works well to convey the tension beneath the family’s happy façade. Scott Turnbull as the snubbed working-man Ernest Beevers wanders into moustache-twirling villainy territory on occasion, but proves a worthy mirror to the Conways’ classism. Particular standouts are Rosie Jones as the vivacious and lively Carol Conway, and Sia Berkeley, (Hazel Conway) who steps lightly from humour to sadness most touchingly.
Despite the introspective theme, Time and The Conways doesn’t shy from humour, and the cast of crew excel in bringing the laughs from the audience - even if there were a few good-natured grumbles when a joke about journalism’s worth was presented to those at the press night! With a well-balanced mix of laughter and regret, the play brings across its themes of regret without ever descending too far into self-indulgence, something that can be attributed to the light touch of director Fiona Buffini and the talents of the cast.
This period piece won’t be for those who enjoy the novelty and unconventionality of post-modern theatre, but if you like your cosy theatre with a melancholic bite it’s well worth an evening out.
Time and the Conways runs from Thursday 18 September to Saturday 27 September 2014
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