Writer: Janet Plater
Director: Christiana Berriman Dawson
The spotlight falls this week, well three spotlights to be precise, on Limelight at Theatre Royal’s newly refurbished Studio. Limelight is a new play written by local writer Janet Plater whose earlier writing of a play you may have seen, Haddock and Chips, was a great success. This play has been well researched by the Plater, with a large sprinkling of historic facts deftly woven into the play. Songs from the Victorian era have been used with original music by Wilf Stone.
Limelight portrays the story of a Victorian Music Hall star Julia St George. Set in 1854, backstage of the Theatre Royal Newcastle, the play explores the hopes and dreams of the three main characters. Julia St George is the main character. In her day she was the idol of the London stage. She was an actress and singer who was born on Broad Chare Newcastle and sadly dies in poverty at the age of eighty. The play transports us to a time when she returns to Newcastle to tread the boards at the Theatre Royal. Hence this is an appropriate starting point for the premiere of the tour of this play.
The stage setting is simplistic, thus suitable for touring, and the dressing of the set was appropriate. The expanse of the stage was used to great effect with several cameo moments played out in different areas. The strong comedic entrance of Julia St George informs you immediately that this lady is here to be noticed.
Limelight begins with two excited actresses backstage gossiping before the arrival of Julia St George. Dayna Dixon plays Miss Emily Saunders another real life actress working at the Theatre Royal at that time. Caitlan Fairweather plays Fanny an up and coming actress. Rebecca Withers plays Julia St George. All three actresses playing these roles are from the North East. It was a joy to see three very talented North East actresses on stage. The wonderful interplay between the three characters and their harmonious singing is a joy.
There is humour and pathos in equal measures throughout this play. A touching scene from Julia St George whereby she relates the story of her lost child is aided by a subtle change of lighting.
Caitlin Fairlamb, the young, up and coming actress Fanny, in awe of Julia St George, plays this to great effect. She also proves to be a versatile actress taking on two further roles during the course of the play. In the second act we see her life clearly maturing as she transforms from being an actress to a business woman, as she follows in the steps of her mother, to become a tailoress.
Dayna Dixon plays Emily a real life music hall actress of the time. She shows some lovely interplay between herself and the other two characters. The friendship and bond between all three is clearly seen.
As the first act ends powerfully the audience are left wondering what will happen next. The second act begins and we are told of a dramatic event and it’s consequences that has happened on the quayside in Newcastle. This reviewer won’t spoil the story by relating the event so you will have to come along to the play to find out.
The future lives of all three characters are then portrayed. Emily marries and realises her dream of being an actress and living in America. Fanny becomes a business woman and then we finally discover the fate of Julia as the final moments of her life are played out. She sadly dies in poverty and despair. The play ends with her reimagining her life when all three actresses were together and the catchy song Canny Newcastle is reprised. This song has been used to great effect throughout the play.
This is a play of two halves. The first act being longer and stronger than the second act. With an abrupt ending the reviewer was left wanting more and would have liked to have seen in more depth the demise of Julia St George and how she came to her sad end.
This is a well directed piece by Christiana Berriman Dawson creating an intimate atmosphere with three shining North East stars on stage this evening.
Runs until 13th April, before continuing on tour.
