Rebecca

USER (20Sep05): Daphne Du Maurier's Classic “Rebecca” Adapted by Frank McGuinness, Directed by Patrick Mason Starring: Nigel Havers and Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh Birmingham Hippodrome, 19 September 2005. There can be no doubting the audience pull of Daphne Du Mauriers’s “Rebecca” whether you read the novel or saw the film it is something so familiar to millions. Last night certainly saw a full house at Birmingham Hippodrome and the tour publicity for the show boasts box office records broken right from the start. So the big question is does this adaptation do justice to the novel and that now classic 1940 film version directed by Alfred Hitchcock? Designer Robert Jones leaves rather too much to the viewers imagination and in spite of the wonderful opportunity to stage some of the exterior of the famous house Manderley we are given no image at all and yet this is surely as important as the three central characters. The sea shore and the sound of waves lapping against the shingle works well but the sometimes blank backdrop added nothing to a production that moved too quickly at times. Act 2 slowed down and there was the promise of more suspense between Mrs De Winter and Mrs Danvers but this did not happen. I asked myself would I be able to follow this if I didn’t know something of the story? Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh daughter of the late actor Dermot Walsh is well cast as Mrs De Winter but the adaptation does not make enough of the relationship between her and Mrs Danvers played by Maureen Beattie and does not get across the fear and intimidation that results from Mrs Danvers attempts to undermine and remove her from the house. Nigel Havers as Maxim De Winter is more insipid than a tortured soul and there was little opportunity to see the contrasting emotions that the novel and film displayed. In comparison there are some standout supporting characters, the rakish Jack Favell played by Guy Williams whose appearances brought the stage to life and Maxim’s sister, Beatrice played by Amanda Waldy who managed to capture some of the brother and sister relationship whilst sparring with husband Giles played by Ian Barritt. The sound and lighting were both excellent as was the voice projection of all the cast but I would like to have seen more characterization and a more glamorous setting. For me this production missed the mark and is a good example of how difficult it is to stage a much-loved classic. Clive Fuller