Smaller

USER (21Mar06): Smaller Written by Carmel Morgan, Directed by Kathy Burke Starring Dawn French, Alison Moyet & June Watson Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 20 March 2006 This is Carmel Morgan’s first stage play after many years of successful TV script writing and is about the lives of three characters. I’d have to call this a black comedy although for many in today’s society the issues covered will have been so close to home. An ageing population and fragmentation of family life has meant many having to cope with aged parents and making the decision to put their own lives on hold. The story is of just this situation. Maureen Clulow, handicapped, crippled and a mother, is played with distinction by June Watson. The scenes where she talks to her daughter giving every little detail of what has happened during her day are priceless, sad and so recognisable. The smallest event is turned into something of the greatest importance and this is a daily ritual. Cath Clulow, singer and actress and distant daughter is portrayed by Alison Moyet a lady with a stunning voice and great stage presence. In trying to achieve her own dream Cath has failed relationships and a career on the slide plus a sister who can never forgive her for fleeing the nest and leaving her behind. Bernice Clulow, carer, full time teacher and going nowhere just yet, (or for the last 25 years) is given a larger than life performance by the ever-popular Dawn French. Her characters selfless devotion has taken over her life so that even having half a cider down the pub or marking schoolbooks becomes an outrageous act with feelings of guilt. It was very pleasing to have a play with music and a live band of three under musical director Steve Corley. This allowed the play to have a secondary layer with Alison Moyet performing a number of emotional songs putting her character into context and this worked very effectively and was well received. The Alexandra Theatre was full last night and the World Premiere of Smaller attracted a wide audience. The standing ovation was genuine as one by one more of the audience rose to its feet. Yes, the performances were excellent and I too would say the play is a success. I was pleased to read in the programme that director Kathy Burke had taken out a lot of the bad language but there is still quite a lot left. The play runs until Saturday 25th March 2006. Clive Fuller