Crucible Theatre, Sheffield – until Saturday 7th April. Reviewed by Judith Penrose
4****
The York Realist is set in Yorkshire in the 1960’s, Yorkshire agricultural worker Ben Batt, who plays George, meets a director from London, Jonathan Bailey who plays John, and they fall in love. Brian Fletcher who played Jack, George’s nephew was excellent in the production and was the youngest member of the cast.
The staging and lighting in the theatre was very captivating and there was a lot of dramatic pauses that were very well placed throughout the performance. The scenery drew you back in time and really set the scene, the main set was a Yorkshire farm house that made you feel you were part of the performance.
Lesley Nicol who played George and Barbara’s mother was excellent at playing an ageing old lady. She reminded me of great grand parents of this era. She found it quite difficult to accept that her son was not married and when the local girl in the village, Katie West who played Doreen, showed George attention, could not understand why he was not interested.
There was an under lying presence when Arthur, played by Matthew Wilson, and George were in the same room; as George confessed to John that he had a sexual encounter with Arthur before he married his sister Barbara.
Lucy Black who played Barbara gave you the impression that she had worked out her brothers sexuality and left you wondering what she really thought.
The play highlights and comes across the difficulties that people faced in this era with their sexuality.
Unfortunately George and John could not work out a solution of how they could continue their relationship after Georges mother dies and so went their separate ways.
I would highly recommend that everyone goes and enjoys this production to see this fabulous Cast.