MICKLEOVER PLAYERS

Evening Telegraph Review of Albert Nobbs 

Andy Potter’s review of Albert Nobbs appeared in The Derby Evening Telegraph on Friday 17th April

Where is there to go after you start a play with the death of one of the main characters, and still be able to make an audience laugh? Playwright Gordon Steel definitely set the bar high for himself when he penned Albert Nobbs, the story of the recently retired title character who we first see crying over the body of his wife, Connie, who, after storming out of the house following a row, is involved in a traffic accident.

Luckily, Steel is up to the task as we get to know about this pair’s relationship and life together in a series of flashbacks, and the added bonus of Connie coming back from the dead as a ghostly narrator and guardian angel to her beau of 40 years.

With a small cast for this latest show from the Mickleover Players, it’s testament to the growing strengths of this company that they managed to overcome some first-night hiccups with their lines.

Nerves were in evidence from the off. Phil Muir as Albert was stilted to begin with, Kirsty Hatcher fumbled a couple of key scenes as Albert’s wife, Connie, and Sarah Ollerenshaw’s false-teeth-losing neighbour Alice only came into her own during the second half. It was Lucy Hurren who took the acting honours as best friend and new love-interest Rose.

However, the audience for this mirror image of life lapped it all up and there was more than a passing recognition for some of the statements and arguments that were highlighted on stage.

As I’ve stated before, once a cast relaxes into a run, shows get quicker and funnier. There are some great lines here that can and will deliver even bigger laughs. I also defy you not to have a tear in your eye at its conclusion.

It’s encouraging to find a company that’s prepared to push some boundaries and be rewarded for it.

Andy Potter