The Charity that began at Home
By St.John Hankin
Directed by Auriol Smith
Richmond Orange Tree Theatre 14th Dec- 4th Feb
The Orange Tree, even at Christmas, always keeps faith with its vision and ideals. This year production of ’The Charity that began at Home’ is no exception, superbly directed and very well acted. The main drive of the performances is from Paula Stockbridge as Lady Denison and Olivia Morgan as her daughter Margery who ‘falls’ in love with Hugh Verreker played by the excellent Oliver Gomm. There is very strong support from Michael Sadler, Chloe Rose, Christopher Heywood, Rosemary Smith, Philip York, Michael Kirk, Rebecca Saire, Shauna Snow and Damien Matthews.
Lady Denison has changed her life and in particular the way she deals with others, mostly due to the teachings of the dissenter Basil Hylton (Damian Matthews). No longer does she fill her house with people that she wants there, but instead invites people because they would enjoy the experience. So her visitors are a strange bunch and a very eclectic mixture. These new values of life are also absorbed and adhered to by her daughter Margery. So they crochet and sew things that are needed and of use to others, they overlook their guest foibles and misdemeanours, they employ servants who would find difficulties in gaining employment elsewhere. This outlook on life has its problems, the Butler, having given up on thieving, manages to upset the rest of the servants in turn, but most particularly the housemaid whom he leaves in the family way!
Now this change of lifestyle does not cut the mustard with her sister-in-law Mrs Eversleigh (Rebecca Saire) and eventually not with the rest of the visitor who feel quite naturally affronted when it is revealed the purpose behind their invite. But the biggest problem is with Hugh Verreker, is it despite his disgrace of the regimental funds or because of it that Margery has fallen in love with him. Neather the less he proposes marriage and she accepts, but is she in love with him?
There is an absolutely superb set change in this production before the final act. What to do when there is a major change that will take time, easy, make it a feature, make it enjoyable to watch and add to the evening’s entertainment. That I did enjoy, what I found harder to understand was the last act upon which I will make no further comment and allow you to make your own mind up.
What is clear, is the morality of the piece. Should we act in a way that helps people because we think we know what is best? Should we make that judgement what is best for a person? If we do things then surely our commitment should be unconditional and unlimited whatever the consequences are for ourselves.
Yet again the Orange Tree has managed to find a gem of a piece, well acted, directed and produced; that made me laugh and made me think. Congratulations.
Reviewed by Evan Rule
