Angela Buckley's Blog

Two evenings at the theatre in one week isn’t bad going. The Grapes of Wrath wasn’t an obvious choice even though I have vague memories of reading the novel when I was young. No one can forget that last iconic scene…..

I have to admit that I was bowled over by the production. It was one of the finest pieces of theatre that I have seen this year – even beating Helen Mirren in Phedre. I was totally absorbed in the story and loved every minute of it.

Sorcha Cusack and Christopher Timothy were magnificent  in the leading roles as were all of the quite extensive cast. It was quirky, moving, funny and  powerful without being sentimental. There was no sense of ‘doom and gloom’ just a prevailing sense of optimism as this hapless family faced their shattered dreams and the harsh reality of starvation.

The stagecraft was extraordinary and even included a stream at the edge of stage in which the characters bathed, causing waves of cold water to splash onto the stage and over the cowering audience. The climax was enhanced by a rain storm, when showers of water lashed down onto the stage. I felt quite sorry for the actors; they must have been freezing after being exposed to so much cold water. It didn’t take much acting for them to shiver under their threadbare blankets.

The Grapes of Wrath is playing at the Festival Theatre, Chichester until 28 August.