Grand Theatre, Blackpool – until 1st July 2023
Reviewed by Debra Skelton
5*****
“Reyt Good” says it all about Quality Street.
The original Quality Street is a comedy about two sisters, Phoebe and Susan Throssel who, during the Napoleonic War, end up starting a school for the children of the upper class in their home on Quality Street. This was to both help the children but also for the sisters who found themselves, through bad investments and lack of betrothal for Phoebe, at risk of losing their home. When her so called ‘suiter’ Captain Brown returns from the war, Phoebe realises she is tired of being an old spinster and so adopts an alluring alter ego ‘Miss Livvy’ – a flirtatious, energetic version of herself and one with whom Captain Brown falls for. Almost like Cinderella, Captain Brown, and indeed the rest of society, fail to recognise that Miss Livvy and Phoebe are one and the same and thus the contrast between her personae results in some brilliant slapstick comedy and class-based humour.
The history of Quality Street is as rich as the chocolates; it was written by J M Barrie in 1901 before he wrote Peter Pan. Due to the success of the play (especially in London where it ran for 459 performances) two films were produced, one in 1927 as a silent movie and then again in 1937 starring Katherine Hepburn. Such was the popularity that in the depression era of the 1930’s, Mackintosh chocolate factory in Halifax took the opportunity to use the sentimentality of all things regency and launched (my favourite) their perennial Christmas chocolates Quality Streets. The tin had bows and ribbons and featured on the lid images of Miss Sweetly and Major Quality, characters from the play.
Fast forward to 2020 and in preparation for revising Quality Street, Northern Broadside and New Vic Theatre decided to invite past workers from the Halifax Chocolate factory to watch rehearsals and get their view on their interpretation of the play. During rehearsals, the workers would tell stories of their time with the factory which prompted the idea to incorporate some of them into this new version.
The opening scene therefore begins with workers from the factory telling their stories and referring to the play that is taking place. This is kept up in various scenes which brings a nice touch to the inspiration of the chocolates themselves.
The cast themselves portray their characters superbly with a mixture of a scouse Prince Charming, Benny Hill and Bridgerton ladies.
Special thanks also needs to go to Laurie Sansom the director, Joe Price for original Lighting, Nick Sagar as Sound Designer/Composer, Ben Wright for Choreography and Lis Evans for the wonderfully exquisite costumes.
In short Quality Street is both delightful escapist entertainment and a critical behind-the-scenes look at Regency England. Well worth a watch.