A Tale Of
Love And Ambition
The Fifteen Streets
Newcastle People’s Theatre
Until Saturday 18th
July 2015.
I
must start this review with a confession. I have never read one of Catherine
Cookson’s books. However I spent the summer of 1992 taking bus loads of holiday
makers on an afternoon tour around South Shields under the banner of
“Catherine Cookson Country”. It was, without doubt one of our most popular
excursions. The lass, Catherine Ann “Kate” McMullen, from Tyneside, who had,
without doubt, a tough start in life, was indeed one of the most popular
authors in the country, selling over 120 million copies.
Hot
on the heels of the announcement that another one of her books, The Cinder Path
(NETG link)
, is about to have it’s premiere on stage we have the People’s Theatre return
to the cautionary tale of The Fifteen Streets. Unusually for this theatre we
have a star in the shape of Pat Dunn (Hebburn, Lucky Numbers NETG Link).
Joining Pat is a strong cast that have given this theatre its reputation for
quality theatre.
Cookson
describes the tough existence in an area of South Tyneside called The Fifteen
Streets. In 1910 you either worked or starved. Even if you worked, money was
stretched to cover rent and fuel, leaving little for some of the larger
families to feed on. Bread and dripping was what awaited the dock workers when
they came home. The play also reflects upon the hold that the Catholic Church
had on its residents.
At
the centre of the story are the O’Briens. A large family of dockworkers with
mother Mary Ellen (Sarah McLane) holding together the seven with all of her
matriarchal might. Significant children include the affable John in a powerful
performance by Craig Fairbairn, who tries to get on in life. Katie (Rhiannon
Wilson) is doing well at school and keeps talking about her teacher Mrs
Llewellyn (Rachel Scott). Dominic (Ian Willis) fights his father Shane (Sands
Dobson) and seems to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
In a close community, in which everyone lives in each others back pockets, there are gossips and kids telling tales. The split set on 2 levels helps separate life in the O’Briens house with the life outside. It was a little difficult to make out some of the comments being made at the very start but it was soon the case that the audience were up on the gossip.
One
group of neighbours includes the Kelly family. Mum Hannah (Pat Dunn) tries to
keep their daughter Nancy (Alison Carr) on the right track and away from the
occasionally violent husband Joe (Jim Simpson). Cookson does not try to add any
sugar on the tough relationships nor does she try to portray the male tendency
to drink in any romantic way.
A
new family move into the area and the gossips note that they have carpet and
their clothes are somewhat more dapper. They are the Bracken family who believe
in a spirituality which is in direct opposition to the catholic preachings. Peter (Pete McAndrew) has brought
his grand-daughter Christine (Jess Chapman) who quickly befriends the O’Brien
children. Father O’Malley (Sean Burnside) does not approve of any liaison with
this family.
 |
| The O'Brien Faily - Photo: Paula Smart |
The
core of Fifteen Streets is a love story which ignites when John O’Brien meets
up with Katie’s teacher. This chance meeting with Mary Llewellyn soon blossoms but
it is not a relationship approved of by Mary’s well off parents James (Steve
Robertson) and Beatrice (Helga McNeil).
The clash of class coupled with the drive and ambition of John O’Brien
leads to an explosive turn of events as the residents get involved. Directors Maggie Childs and John Gray have captured a great series of performances from the talented cast.
Very
strong performances from Craig Fairbairn, Rhiannon Wilson, Rachel Scott and Pete McAndrew, supported by a
great ensemble, help extend this from a standard historic love story into a
great fable. Social mobility is as much an issue as the depravation faced by
the dock workers. The People’s Theatre
production of The Fifteen Streets is a fine piece of theatre to finish another
great season with and we look forward to next season.
Read
the original North East Theatre Guide Preview here: NETG Preview Link
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver the North East Theatre Guide Preview from
Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com
). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like
Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Tickets
The Fifteen Streets adapted by Rob Bettinson, from the novel by
Catherine Cookson
Tuesday
14 to Saturday 18 July 2015, 7.30pm
The
People’s Theatre, Stephenson
Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF
Tickets: £13.50 (Concessions £11)
Box Office: 0191 265 5020
Box Office: 0191 265 5020
