Brief Encounter - Royal Exchange MCR

Strange choice by the Royal Exchange seeing as Brief Encounter was at the Octagon in Bolton for a few weeks barely six months ago.

I tend to go by the theatres own description 

According to Concord Theatricals who manage the rights for this adaptation, it is a play with 'nine Coward ditties'

www.concordtheatricals.co.uk/p/45009/brief-encounter

A few thoughts from my matinee visit yesterday. Having enjoyed the original Empire Cinema, Haymarket version, I was intrigued enough by the announcement that the REX would be staging this as their 2023 festive show to have a watch to see how they would stage it in the round. As I only booked a few days ago, I ended up with one of the £10 banquette seats. Having sat in them before, whilst not the most comfortable, they certainly do offer excellent value for money and give you the chance to be up close to the show.

With a run time of 2hrs and 20 minutes (incl, interval), director Sarah Frankcom and her team have done a really good job here in bringing this show to the REX stage. The time zipped by and there was certainly plenty to enjoy with this production of Noel Cowards's classic work.

Telling the story of 2 middle-class characters,  Laura and Alec who meet at a train station and then embark on a love affair. As well as other train station characters who we meet embark on their own story arcs, the show delves into issues such as love, regret, shame and expectations from society. 

Designer Rose Rivett has transformed the REX stage into a period train station with a large clock that hangs from the roof and a team room set that is just off stage that also houses the band. With some clever lighting and sound design from Simeon Miller and Russell Ditchford respectively, you are transported back to England in the 1940's. The main stage makes use of the revolve so no sides are stuck behind any of the tables or chairs that are used for any great lengths. Though I would say that there are large periods where the stage does  look very sparse. 

Th cast of 7 (with many playing multiple roles) are a joy to watch and bring plenty of heart and warmth with a big dollop of comedy which comes from the other character) to proceedings. All the cast get a chance to show off their vocal talents throughout the show with Christina Modestou (as Myrtle the tea room manager) singing "No Good At Love" was for me a standout moment in the show for the musical numbers. The entire cast fore me were a great watch. Along with the vocal and acting talents from the cast, we do get a bit of dancing from the full cast which makes full use of the stage. Some of the cast get to play some instruments near the end as well. A shout out to cast member Matthew Allen here, particularly in Act 2 where he is able to show off his singing, instrument playing and dancing skills in one scene. A really talented guy.

Talking of music, the score is brought to life by a wonderful band of 7 led by MD Matthew Malone. This is made up of Piano, Bass, Drums and Guitar.. Like the cast, I couldn't fault them and added bits of incidental music to proceeding as well. Thankfully the sound mixing was great and I could hear both cast and band without any problems.

I would say that having had chance to chew over my viewing, if I had any criticism it would be of the script would be in not offering any real jeopardy in the relationship between Laura and Alec. Whilst we meet Laura's husband and son, her family life wasn't really explored in any great detail to give a anything at stake vibe when Laura has to decide who she wants to be with. The affair between Laura and Alec just comes across a sort of gushing at each other instead. 

On balance, despite the issues with the main relationship, I certainly got a lot out of my visit to the REX to consider booking for a revisit for the last matinee n January.

Rating - 4 stars

TallPaul - The seats became available when the show 1st opened so got one then. The “on the day” via phone or in person option is still available from posters I saw on the doors. I hope you enjoy it if you do go. Though it took me 5 hrs to get back home on Saturday because of the storms! 

Don’t worry I’m at a midweek matinee at the end of the run 😄

Saw this last night. The creative team have done a great job transforming the auditorium into a 1940's railway station, with some nice little touches dotted round the rest of the building. How they bring the sights and sounds of the station to life, especially that of passing trains, is cleverly done.

The main problem for me is the lack of chemistry between the two leads. I never felt emotionally invested in them together as anything other than lonely soulmates. The moment when they consummated their relationship bordered on unintentionally comical, it's all so prim and proper.

There's great work from the supporting cast members. Christina Modestou's sharp remarks as Myrtle are a joy but it's arguably Ida Regan who steals the show as timid waitress Beryl. Ida, who was terrific in The Comedy of Errors (More or Less) earlier this year, confirms her status as an emerging talent here with a performance that subtly shifts from endearingly awkward as Beryl gains in confidence. Her sultry, powerful rendition of Mad About the Boy is an unexpected delight. Matthew Allen is a charming presence on stage too. He shines during the dance sequence in act two and shows his versatility in a number of roles, including joining the on-stage band.

It's just a shame that despite some excellent individual performances here, and the cast as a whole working well together, the central relationship is never fully convincing. There's some beautiful moments along the way but it never really feels like there's anything much at stake.

Three and a half stars.