Progress Theatre's Production of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken, adapted for the stage by Russ Tunney, Friday 17th January 2014

This is a play based on the book of the same name by Joan Aiken. The story revolves around two girls; Bonnie (Isabel Brodie), who lives on a large country estate with her loving parents and Sylvia (Poppy Price), her impoverished orphan cousin from London. When Bonnie’s father takes her mother on a sea voyage for her health he arranges for Sylvia to keep Bonnie company.  The setting for the story is an alternative 19^th century England where wolves terrorize the countryside.

The production opens in a schoolroom with a strict schoolmaster who objects to noise. When he eventually leaves the room the children start to tell each other a story. Two of the girls are transformed into Bonnie and Sylvia and the great make believe begins. The other “children” take on various roles as required, change or even become part of the scenery and create atmospheric noises such as the sound of Sylvia’s train. Breaking up the action were several songs which were performed well. Especially notable was Anjali Singh who sang with conviction and feeling.

The sense of “make believe” was maintained throughout the production as most of the ensemble (and this really was an ensemble performance) stayed on stage and watched the action when not a part of it. The only character not played by the children was the wicked governess, Miss Slighcarp (competently played by Rod Sloan). This was the first but not the only cross dressing in the production and whilst consistent with the “make believe” theme I found it a little too pantomime for my taste. Having said that I must applaud Geoff Dallimore for his commitment to and comic portrayal of all three characters he played including the “stout woman” Brisket.

This production was fun and full of humour especially in the use of props and I would certainly describe it as family friendly. However, the sense of make believe was too strong in my opinion. I never felt the girls were really affected by anything that happened to them and there were moments when I felt I was really watching a group of children playing make believe. Overall, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase could have done with a little more bite.