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The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
What a magnificent opening production of the new season for the Royal Theatre The Prime of Miss Jean Prodie proves to be.
Davinia Anderson (Mary McGregor), Katie Foster Barnes (Monica), Anna Francolini (Miss Brodie) and Natalie Burt (Jenny) in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at the Royal, Northampton Photo: Toby Farrow
Anna Francolini as the title character gives a breathtaking performance from the moment she first appears on stage to curtain down. If ever an actress was deserving of a standing ovation, this one definitely was. Never for a minute do you doubt she is Jean Brodie, in her prime.
This should is no way distract from the rest of the cast - each and everyone has scenes of sheer brilliance and extraordinary magnatism.
Jodie Taibi who only recently graduated from Webber Douglas is definitely a name to watch for the future. She created numerous scenes as Sandy and Helena with tremendous feeling and passion.
The balance of the Miss Brodie’s girls, Davinia Anderson as Mary McGregor, Natalie Burt as Jenny and Katie Foster-Barnes as Monica brought tension, humour, heartbreak and awkwardness in spoonfuls - truly brilliant performances.
Northampton should be very proud of locally-born actress Sarah Moyle as headmistress Miss Mackay. Her uncomfortable moments and humour came in equal measures.
John Killoran as Gordon Lowther and Hywel Simons as art teacher Teddy Lloyd generated rich and colourful characters, but sorry guys, this production belongs to the ladies.
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Production information
- By:
- Muriel Spark, adapted by Jay Presson Allen
- Composer:
- Jon Nicholls, also sound design
- Management:
- Royal & Derngate
- Cast:
- Anna Francolini, Davinia Anderson, Natalie Burt, Katie Foster Barnes, Jodie Taibi, Hywel Simons, John Killoran, Sarah Moyle
- Director:
- Laurie Sansom
- Design:
- Neil Irish
- Lighting:
- Chris Davey
- Choreography:
- Movement: Georgina Lamb
Production information can change over the run of the show.
Run sheet
- Royal, Royal & Derngate Northampton
- September 12-October 4 2008
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