The Children's Hour, Comedy Theatre, London

The Comedy Theatre

The Comedy Theatre in Leicester square is traditional in look, with tiered red velour seating facing the large, open stage. The set served the play well, while only one room was on show a door along the back wall and tall set showed it to be a much larger setting. Also, set change was done with the characters still on stage, by people in period dress, and this was done without interrupting the performance. While it looks nice, however, the seating is quite claustrophobic and there is of course the age old problem of ‘that big head in front’.

I was drawn to the production itself somewhat superficially by Keira Knightley, who alongside Elisabeth Moss as Martha Dobie are a pair subject to a childish accusation with dire consequences. The lie in question is of lesbianism. It is set in 1930s New England, at a time when this was only just emerging as an issue, and the play draws attention to an aspect of prejudice not normally touched on. It was interesting, if not a little scary to see the characters reactions- controlled disgust, showing how far the world has come. It was written by Lillian Hellman and first played in 1934, when the issue was so controversial it was banned in England and various American states.

The cast was quite large, being set in a school, there were a number of pupils, two teachers, an aunt, a fiancé, a grandmother, a housemaid and a very minor character of vegetable man. All performed quite well, and apart from Keira Knightley during scenes of shouting, the American accents were impressively solid. A moment of excitement came when I recognised one of the schoolgirls- omg its Panda from Skins! (Lisa Blackwell).

Bryony Hannah who played Mary Tilford was the star for me. She was only in the 1^st half but she commanded every scene she was in. Yes, her character was infuriating and as her cruel lie escalated I physically wanted to get on stage and slap her, but this was the mark of fine acting. She was never still, rolling around the stage, climbing on furniture. Her control of the other characters was amazing, especially over her friends..she stabbed one with a pencil before demanding her money. She looked impressively young considering she is actually 26 and was working alongside teen actors. She is an unknown actress, but can only go on to do great things, because she was really fantastic.

The cast. Hannah in pyjamas 2nd from right

And Keira. Firstly she was so skinny! Secondly, her acting was..as it always is. Quite good, starting as a haughty female, just like Elizabeth Bennett or The Duchess or in fact. But by the end of act 2 she was in hysterics, crawling about the floor (Her friend had just committed suicide though).  I thought she was going to as well, leaving us on a dour note, but the end was quite ambiguous.

The beginning was quite low, the action mainly being in the second act. Afterwards I felt emotionally drained, but I did really enjoy it. I would recommend it (although the tickets are quite expensive). The couple in front of me did leave at the interval though so it’s clearly not for everyone. If you don’t fancy a trip to the theatre then watch the film, The Loudest Whisper, a 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn.