The Stage

Hobson’s Choice

Published Friday 3 August 2007 at 13:00 by Michael Sell

Ninety-one years young, Hobon’s Choice is still full of the reality of life. Some of the more extreme attitudes are now considered politically incorrect, but the truth is that they remain beneath the surface. The role of women, patriarchal families, attitudes to ownership - all with a good touch of Samuel Smiles’ philosophy - make for reality. Add a good portion of Lancashire humour and a strong woman, and it is not difficult to see why this play has been revived so often.

The dominant father figure of Hobson, played with pompous self-aggrandisement by John Savident, also sees him as a burst balloon. Maggie, the eldest daughter, is superbly characterised by Carolyn Backhouse as a strong, determined and ambitious woman, who is the supreme manipulator. She certainly makes an enormous difference to the confidence and attitudes of her initially reluctant husband, William Mossop, whose growth is splendidly portrayed by Dylan Charles.

The younger Hobson sisters Alice (Katherine Kingsley) and Vickey ( Annabel Scholey), with their respective partners, lawyer Albert Prosser (Alex Waldmann) and Fred Beenstock, provide excellent support. There are especially good cameo performances by Judith Paris (Mrs Hepworth), Richard Kane (Tubby Wadlow) and Alistair Findlay (Dr MacFarlane), among a cast which never gives less than best.

Jonathan Church directs with a clear understanding of the society with which he is dealing and brings the dialogue and humour to life at a number of levels. His carefully judged pace is enhanced by Simon Higlett’s realistic designs and authentic wardrobe, as well as by the music recorded by the Chichester City Band