London Classic Theatre: Humble Boy

HUMBLE BOY - 2009

By Charlotte Jones
Directed by Michael Cabot
Designed by Jeremy Daker
Lighting by Peter Foster

Back to PRODUCTIONS

CAST:

Jeryl Burgess, Peter Cadden, John Dorney, Catherine Harvey, Pauline Whitaker and Martin Wimbush.

SELECTED VENUES:

Haymarket Theatre Basingstoke, Everyman Palace Cork, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Torch Theatre Milford Haven, Buxton Opera House, Poole Lighthouse, Civic Theatre Chelmsford and Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire.

LIAM HEYLIN - CORK EVENING ECHO

"A very English and very well-made play buzzes into the Everyman this week replete with some stinging scenes in a drama that takes flight, not so much a B-movie as a Bee play. Okay, that’ll do it on the bumbling puns. This is Hamlet with bees. A biologist dies leaving a distraught physicist son and not-so-distraught philandering wife. Halfway through it has the feeling of Shakespeare up-dated to Wallace and Gromit. But after all the humour it, by the end, has quite an emotional reach.

London Classic Theatre have brought a very entertaining play on tour to Cork this week and on its way to several other Irish theatres in the next few weeks. The acting manages to hit the various spots in a show that has good production values under Michael Cabot’s nimble and affecting direction. This is the kind of well-made play that older audiences moan about not being around nowadays. By that they are usually talking about some Arthur Miller play, rich in recognisable characters, good lines and hidden human histories that eventually come to the surface and ripe with theatrical metaphors. Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones has all of that.

At times the multiplicity of the metaphors drawn from bees and physics might trip over each other. But just as that seems likely, the play avoids clotting on its own cleverness by simply being playful. As entertainment, its strength is in giving us enough to keep interested and making us feel like the clever ones for being able to suss what’s going on. A lesser writer could have fallen for the pitfalls of being too clever or too cheesy but Jones is too good for that. This has the hallmark of a popular and satisfying show that should do well here. In town until Saturday."

JEREMY MILES - BOURNEMOUTH DAILY ECHO *****

"When it first appeared nearly a decade ago Charlotte Jones' play caused even jaded critics to sit up and take notice. The killer combination of slickly intelligent writing and a riveting tale of unrequited love in the wake of death in a dysfunctional family soon found Humble Boy laden with awards.

London Classic Theatre Company’s revival reminds us what the fuss was about, delivering Jones’ sharply observed comedy with wit and style. Beautifully set in a suburban garden somewhere in middle England, it finds John Dorney in excellent form as Felix Humble , a chaotic thirty-something academic, returning home following the sudden death of his bee-keeping, biology teacher father.

The Humble household is in psychological meltdown as Felix’s needy, spiteful and deeply dissatisfied mother Flora (a fine performance from Pauline Whitaker) instigates a full-on affair with uncouth local businessman George Pye (Peter Cadden). It’s a sticky situation, particularly with the constant attention of clinging neighbour Mercy (Jeryl Burgess) and the sudden discovery by Felix that he is the father of a seven-year-old girl.

The plot weaves its way through everything from theoretical astrophysics to advanced bee-keeping but remains essentially about people and their problems. This is compelling theatre with a wonderful and highly appropriate sting in the tail."

JILL LAWRIE - REMOTEGOAT.CO.UK *****

Charlotte Jones' delightful award-winning comedy was first presented at the Cottesloe starring Diana Rigg and Simon Russell Beale, then subsequently at the Gielgud with Felicity Kendall taking the role of Flora Humble.

The action takes place one summer over the course of four weeks. Felix Humble, a single mid-thirties Cambridge academic scientist returns to his rural middle England family home, following the sudden death of his father. Unable to deliver the eulogy at the funeral, Felix is found wandering in the garden of his former home. Distraught at the haste in which his cold callous self obsessed mother Flora has despatched his late father's much loved swarm of bees! Add to the equation George Pye, his mother's rather crude suitor and his daughter Rosie Pye, who once had a dalliance with Felix.

The story touches on dysfunctional families, quantum physics and black holes, beekeeping and an inability to accept events, but is so skilfully written and interwoven with much witty dialogue and almost farcical antics, that this performance cannot fail to stimulate and entertain.

Michael Cabot as Artistic Director has produced a gem with this production. A wonderful set, representing the Cotswold garden complete with shed, stone steps, an abundance of flowers and of course the central beehive! Subtly lit throughout, the frequent authentic buzzing of bees and a stellar cast. The performers being Pauline Whitaker and John Dorney, who take on the complex characters of Flora Humble and Felix Humble as their relationship crumbles, who were both outstanding. Peter Cadden as the foul- mouthed lover George Pye and Catherine Harvey as his daughter Rosie Pye were exceptional bringing a genuine frank and candid quality to their roles. They were ably supported by Martin Wimbush (Jim the gardener) and Jeryl Burgess (Mercy Lott).

These half dozen company members brought to life this memorable and much-loved play, which comes highly recommended, and is not surprisingly playing to packed houses. The company will be touring the UK and Ireland till May, so do not miss the opportunity of catching this drama.

LONDON CLASSIC THEATRE, THE PRODUCTION OFFICE, 63 SHIRLEY AVENUE, SUTTON, SURREY, SM1 3QT
TELEPHONE: 020 8395 2095 EMAIL: INFO@LONDONCLASSICTHEATRE.CO.UK