Saturday Night & Sunday Morning

Published Wednesday 27 February 2008 at 15:45 by Kevin Berry

The women in Alan Sillitoe’s fifties classic novel were very much secondary characters in the film version. Amanda Whittington’s stage adaptation gives them substance and prominence. They are as trapped, perhaps more so, than Arthur Seaton, the story’s rebellious hero.

Brenda, the married woman having an affair with Seaton, is played with striking authenticity by Emma Gregory. Her longing is painfully etched.

Oliver Farnworth makes an interesting and often sympathetic Seaton. He gives a performance of insight and detail, drawing the audience into his world. His Seaton is a rebel, but not an overly belligerent rebel. He does sometimes conform. 

Working class life in the fifties is illustrated with all of its drudgery and restrictions, but as the story unfolds there is a feeling of change coming. A soundtrack of slushy ballads punctuated with rock music helps.

The stage design is flexible and adaptable and allows for much impressive invention from a willing cast. Some scenes do look bare, but that is because there are so few actors on stage. What about using the youth company?

The men cycle onto stage, upturn their bikes and the bikes become machines in the Raleigh factory. Nottingham Goose Fair is skilfully illustrated with very few props. Lighting designer John Harris gives the settings rawness and industry-stained colour. Large video images of a pub and the gable end of a row of terraced houses look stunning.

There is much riding on the success of this co- production, given Harrogate Theatre’s recent funding cut. It is something worth seeing.