Now fallen into general obscurity, Thomas Holcroft's eighteenth century romp was once highly popular, acclaimed by none other than William Hazlitt as "a universal favourite". among theatres of the day. Reflecting Holcroft's fraught (and ultimately tragic ) relationship with his own son, The Road To Ruin opens with the familiar sight of a prodigal son bringing disgrace on his upstanding father through profligacy run rampant. The forerunner of today's plastic society that implicitly encourages endless borrowing on credit, the world here depicted is similarly besieged by temptation with endless possibilities for speculation and gambling on everything from bear-baiting, to horseracing. Possessing a good heart if a weak judgement, young Harry Dornton resolves to rescue his father's reputation through drastic means- by marrying a frivolous, unscrupulous widow and thereby sacrificing his love for the widow's virtuous daughter.T02044981837Employing many of the conventional touches of the genre like the ludicrous posturings of the elderly widow, the angelic young girl, wily miser and the ubiquitous sight of enthusiastic youth pitted against cunning age, the reason this production succeeds so admirably is because the cast approach their material with real verve, commitment and a precise comic timing that extracts maximum value from every scene. A new season at this intimate theatre kicks off in stylish fashion.Producer Orange Tree. Director Sam Walters. Design Tim Meacock. Lighting Tim Meacock. Performer John Paul Connolly. Performer David Gooderson. Performer James Lloyd Pegg. Performer Auriol Smith. Performer Ben Warwick. Performer Thomas Wheatley. Performer Louise Yates. Performer Terrance Hardiman. Performer Chris Porter. Performer Claire Redcliffe. Performer Ed Stoppard. | |
| 4 Sep 02 to 12 Oct 02 | Orange Tree Theatre, Outer London :: V321 listing details L806398447 |
