Brief Encounter by Noel Coward

Birmingham REP until 20 October 2007.
Producers: Kneehigh Theatre; Birmingham Repertory
Theatre Company & West Yorkshire Adapted and Directed
by Emma Rice
 

Many will remember the 1945 film “Brief Encounter” starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard and so
popular it was that the film was reissued in 1948 and it still gets regular television screenings . The film
captured an era of relative innocence and charm if somewhat snobbish and coming as it did after World War
2 struck a chord with so many. Fewer will recall the TV movie of 1974 and starring cinema greats Sophia
Loren and Richard Burton. The timing may not have been right on that occasion but this new stage production which is true to the filmed story brings the
characters to life once more.

I’d wondered how the play would be presented and how the atmosphere captured so well on film would be
recreated. Interestingly, on walking into the main reception area we were greeted by the sounds of a
grand piano being played in the background. Once in the auditorium we discovered members of the cast
singing period songs to the audience and they enjoyed every bit of it too. At the intermission there were
re-creations of cinema advertisements on screen and all round the concept worked.

So clever was the staging that we began watching a film of Brief Encounter and then two rather formally
dressed patrons (by today’s standards) seated in the front row of the stalls turned out to be Laura and
Alec the main characters of the play.

The storyline does indeed mirror that of the film but there is one major difference as most of the
supporting characters are given a broader role. For instance the relationship between Myrtle the starchy
manageress of the railway buffet and Albert the porter takes on more comedy and musical performance and we see them away from work. Likewise, buffet assistant Beryl clowns around and does a wonderful song
resplendent with balloons. Stanley the young porter with his tray of refreshments that never quite makes
it off stage and over to platform 4 is a delight. All the cast work so well together and in the grand
tradition of repertory often play more than one role.

Naomi Frederick as Laura and Tristan Sturrock as Alec both looked the part and portrayed their characters with great reserve in spite of the emotional turmoil they were facing. Of course, even if you had not seen the film and my companion owned up to just that we knew that the liaison was destined to be short lived.
There is a wonderful moment in Act 2 as when taking a rather indulgent lunch with champagne the two are spotted by an acquaintance of Laura’s and she has to lie about how they know each other. After that it was clear that neither could continue or deceive their loved ones any longer.

Director Emma Rice brings to life on stage the Noel Coward classic adding this to her already impressive
list of credits. Designer Neil Murray and Lighting Director Malcolm Rippeth have created a fascinating
set bringing together all the key elements of the plot, from the buffet to the trains the grand hotel to
the homely lounge and combined with the superb film (video) effects by Jon Driscoll and Gemma Carrington
the result is nostalgic and yet contemporary in presentation. The sound and diction was clear throughout and the music by Stu Barker added both to the play and the atmosphere. This is a great evening out and the applause from a full house indicated another winner for the REP.

Review by Clive Fuller
To book tickets or see news of forthcoming plays at the Birmingham Rep, visit http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk