THOROUGHLY MODERN MAN, guest blogger: Next Time I'll Sing to You, Orange Tree Theatre

Next Time I'll Sing to You, at the Richmond Orange Tree has a brilliant ensemble with some real star turns:

Roger Parkins (Meff) delivers a strongly felt comedic performance in this, his professional debut; Aden Gillett (Rudge) brings a winning mix of passion, inventiveness and humour to the role of 'the creator', Rudge. His speeches have great clarity and space - he speaks at his own pace (a real lesson to so many actors), and he savours his lines. It is a terrific performance.

The star of the show is undoubtedly Jamie Newall, 'the Hermit'. Towards the end of the play, Newall circles the Orange Tree stage, wearing in his frayed hermit rags and saintly beard, clutching his pocket-sized bible; his eyes are fixed on the movements and discussions continuing stage-centre, but something tells you that his thoughts are far from the action and indeed the theatre. His on-stage character becomes so wrapt up in the part he is being directed in, that he gradually ceases to be himself - you get the sense that Newall goes through this same journey. It is wonderful to watch.

The Richmond Orange Tree theatre is in the round, which always creates challenges for a director. Anthony Clark does a wonderful job, constantly changing the positions and angles of the actors. Communication has been made a clear focus. Audience members are directly addressed throughout the play: eye contact is made, and fleeting moments of improvisation break down the invisible barrier. This is just one of the objectives in a complex play by the late James Saunders. It is an examination of the human mind: to see humanity through the eyes of a single man (the Hermit). But although it is challenging to an audience on many levels, it is also incredibly funny. Holly Elmes' speech at the beginning of the second act is theatre comedy at its best. Look out for Brendan Patricks too, whose dry wit is set against the clownish humour of Roger Parkins. Fans of Downton Abbey may recognise Patricks as Evelyn Napier from the first series.

The Richmond Orange Tree is a wonderful place, a few metres from Richmond station. It was one of the first theatres I went to as a child, and it always has a certain magic for me. This is a rare chance to see this strange but hilarious and thought-provoking play. Don't miss it.

Next Time I'll Sing to You continues until 10 December, book here.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, Alex Knox.

Mary Broome at The Orange Tree Theatre

‘Mary Broome', written by Allan Monkhouse in the early part of the 20th Century, is a study of relationships: between servant and wealthy employer and secondly between parents and their children. Monkhouse enjoys muddling these divisions up when the younger son in the prosperous Timbrall family is found to have landed the family’s housemaid, Mary Broome, in a spot of trouble.

I faintly remember my last visit to the Orange Tree Theatre, I can’t have been older than twelve and was there on a school trip; the theatre seemed much bigger back then. It is actually a boutique venue sitting in the centre of lovely Richmond, just two minutes walk from the train station. Before seeing the play we stopped into Carluccio’s next door to scoff a quick bowl of pasta, sustenance for the evening’s entertainment.

We all squeezed onto the snug press benches: to say it was cosy would be an understatement. Set designer Sam Dowson has created an atmospheric sitting room, and used very effectively the small space he has to work with. Strangely, a piece of furniture is placed in the middle of each side of the square stage restricting one's view, this may be intentional in order to make the audience feel they are peeking into the family drama.

Katie McGuinness is reserved and affecting as the meek maid Mary Broome; she puts on a perfect Pennine accent which makes her stand out from the rest of the characters brilliantly. She never gives too much away, keeping her thoughts coiled in and presenting a plain, rather dumb front. Her shy and hesistant portrayal is sometimes painful to watch.

Jack Farthing made me laugh as overtly camp and frivolous Leonard Timbrell, who is forced to marry Mary by his stern father after getting her pregnant. He is witty and sharp and makes fabulous use of Monkhouse’s fast paced script. Michael Lumsden commands the stage with his bellowing rendition of Mr Edward Timbrell ordering everyone about in a nasty condescending tone. In fact the whole cast is strong and works well as a team, there are no dud performances.

It is a convincing production for the Orange Tree Theatre, though after seeing similar plays such as ‘When we are Married’ and ‘An Ideal Husband’, I’m afraid I didn’t feel as excited watching this smaller scale farce.

Continues until 23 April, book here.