Laurels Theatre Whitley Bay – until 23rd December 2023
Reviewed by Sandra Little
4****
This latest offering from Laurels Theatre is an adaptation by Chris Foxon of The Watch House which is a story written by acclaimed local author Robert Westall.
The story is set in Tynemouth and most of the action takes place around the Watch House. This is a building in Tynemouth with a great deal of maritime history associated with coastguards and the rescue of sailors shipwrecked on the River Tyne.
The play begins when Ann (Aoife Kennan) is taken to Tynemouth to stay with her aunt Prudie (Catherine Dryden) and uncle Arthur (Donald McBride) while her mum ( also played by Catherine Dryden) returns to London to deal with her divorce. Arthur is keen to share the history of the Watch House with Ann and she finds herself fascinated by his stories from the past of shipwrecks and rescues. Ann becomes drawn to the Watch House and whilst spending time there alone, she witnesses strange flickering lights and unexplained ghostly happenings.
As the play progresses Ann experiences more strange and unexplained ghostly encounters and becomes keen to understand the secrets of the Watch House. Ann is helped along the way in her quest by a rather eccentric friend Timmo ( played by Catherine Dryden) who she meets at a local church disco. Da Souza ( also played by Catherine Dryden) a local priest, also becomes involved in unravelling these ghostly mysteries and helping Ann to understand her experiences.
In the second half of the play Donald McBride takes on the role of Geordie which transpires to be two spirits from the past that are pivotal in unlocking the intriguing secrets buried in the Tyne and the Priory graveyard. Eventually explanations are given, the story unravels and the significance of two ghosts namely Henry Cookson and Major Scobie Hague is revealed.
This adaptation of Robert Westall’s tale is currently being performed in a small room in a quirky little theatre in Whitley Bay, with few props and only three actors! However, an atmosphere of warmth was created from Arthur and Prudie’s characters which contrasted sharply with the very chilling atmosphere created by props, lighting and a fascinating storyline which links the ghosts and their story from the past to Ann’s difficulties in dealing with her parents’ divorce.
I did enjoy this performance and I could see it being performed successfully in bigger venues than Laurels. Being close to the actors added to the atmosphere of this spooky offering. Donald McBride was very convincing as an old Geordie gadgee, Aoife Keenan’s facial expressions portrayed her emotions clearly and Catherine Dryden worked exceptionally hard to switch between four characters. I do think this play will achieve further success.
N B gadgee is a dialect word for an older Geordie male.