Performance

VenueHis Majesty's Theatre
Other spaces: His Majesty's Theatre, Hilton
TownAberdeen
CountyAberdeen
From17th October 2005
To22nd October 2005
WhenMon-Sat 19:30. Wed 14:00. Sat 14:30
PricesFrom £6.50. To £22.50.
What is currently on at His Majesty's Theatre (V585)

Rebecca

T083716300
Classic costume drama (Gothic thrills) from the 1930's. A young bride feels the presence of her husband's former wife in the haunting home of Manderlay. Slowly she pieces together the tragic history of the dead Rebecca and confronts the housekeeper Mrs Danvers.
Author Daphne Du Maurier


Archive :: production:T083716300, play:S4729, venue:V585

Production details

Running times 2 hours 20 minutes including interval.

Special Performances


  • 22 Oct 05 Sign Interpreted

Reviews

Overall: 1.50
USER (04Nov06): No atmosphere, bad timing, poorly directed and limited props and scenery. Did not create the necessary moods and the acting was wooden. Nigel Havers played Nigel Havers but seemed bored doing it. Disappointing. A big name cannot carry a play alone. 1
USER (20Sep05): Daphne Du Maurier's Classic “Rebecca” Adapted by Frank McGuinness, Directed by Patrick Mason Starring: Nigel Havers and Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh Birmingham Hippodrome, 19 September 2005. There can be no doubting the audience pull of Daphne Du Mauriers’s “Rebecca” whether you read the novel or saw the film it is something so familiar to millions. Last night certainly saw a full house at Birmingham Hippodrome and the tour publicity for the show boasts box office records broken right from the start. So the big question is does this adaptation do justice to the novel and that now classic 1940 film version directed by Alfred Hitchcock? Designer Robert Jones leaves rather too much to the viewers imagination and in spite of the wonderful opportunity to stage some of the exterior of the famous house Manderley we are given no image at all and yet this is surely as important as the three central characters. The sea shore and the sound of waves lapping against the shingle works well but the sometimes blank backdrop added nothing to a production that moved too quickly at times. Act 2 slowed down and there was the promise of more suspense between Mrs De Winter and Mrs Danvers but this did not happen. I asked myself would I be able to follow this if I didn’t know something of the story? Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh daughter of the late actor Dermot Walsh is well cast as Mrs De Winter but the adaptation does not make enough of the relationship between her and Mrs Danvers played by Maureen Beattie and does not get across the fear and intimidation that results from Mrs Danvers attempts to undermine and remove her from the house. Nigel Havers as Maxim De Winter is more insipid than a tortured soul and there was little opportunity to see the contrasting emotions that the novel and film displayed. In comparison there are some standout supporting characters, the rakish Jack Favell played by Guy Williams whose appearances brought the stage to life and Maxim’s sister, Beatrice played by Amanda Waldy who managed to capture some of the brother and sister relationship whilst sparring with husband Giles played by Ian Barritt. The sound and lighting were both excellent as was the voice projection of all the cast but I would like to have seen more characterization and a more glamorous setting. For me this production missed the mark and is a good example of how difficult it is to stage a much-loved classic. Clive Fuller 2

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Company

Producer David Pugh Ltd
Adapted by Frank McGuinness
Director Patrick Mason
Design Robert Jones
Lighting Howard Harrison
Performer Nigel Havers (Maxim de Winter)
Performer Maureen Beattie
Performer Elisabeth Dermot Walsh
CORONAVIRUS: All UK venues closed on 16th March 2020, restrictions were lifted on 19th July 2021. Please note that iUKTDb archive listings between March 2020 and July 2021 may not be accurate as we did not receive details of all rescheduled and cancelled shows.

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