SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN
review of the new Shrewsbury Theatre Guild production
Shrewsbury Theatre Guild is staging a 21 st anniversary revival of the
charming John Godber comedy "September in the Rain" this weekend at The
Gateway Arts Centre, and next weekend in two South Shropshire village halls.
Originally produced by Hull Truck Theatre, this is a bile-and-balm
twohander of remembrances of a lifetime of Blackpool holidays - drawn from
Godber's own vivid childhood experiences.
Jack Munroe has spent his whole life down a Yorkshire pit. So 50 years of
pent up anger begin to leak when it deigns to rain on his one week of the
year above ground. Clive Burns plays him as a broad, unsophisticated
workingman - complete with knotted handkerchief on his head - who dreams of
a beach to himself, whilst doing his level best to weather his wife's
irrational demands.
Liz's neurotic ups and downs are beautifully portrayed by Janine Clarke, who
pitches her character in very fertile comedy territory, firmly to the left
of Hyacinth Bucket and slightly to the right of Les Dawson. And there's a
bit of everybody's own mother woven in for good measure.
Subtly directed by Kathryn Lewis; it all adds up to an affectionate
thumbnail sketch of a tiny, fading world of seaside landladies, glitter
balls and gritty sand. The old couple's trip up the famous tower is a
wonderfully nervous moment; so convincing I even suffered from vertigo in
the safety of my own chair.
"September in the Rain" is at The Gateway tonight (Friday 11 November) and
tomorrow at 8pm. It's also at Priest Weston on the 18 and Cardington on 19th
November.
Chris Eldon Lee