She Stoops to Conquer at The Lowry Review
She Stoops to Conquer
The Lowry, Manchester
9-13 December 2014
Reviewed by Cathy Porteus
She Stoops to Conquer was written over 200 years ago by Oliver Goldsmith but the story is still entertaining today. In the farcical tradition, the story starts with a misunderstanding leading to confusion and hilarity for all. The Hardcastle’s – Mum, Dad, stepson Tony and daughter Kate – live in their ancestral home in the country. Mr Hardcastle has arranged for an old friend’s son Marlow to visit and potentially court his daughter Kate. Marlow, travelling with his friend Mr Hastings, loses his way from London but is directed to house by Tony, who manages to convince him that he is actually staying in a hotel.
The preceding scene where Tony and his local chums enjoy a song, dance and instrumental soiree in the local inn was full of charm and fun. I couldn’t work out whether it was actually the actors playing the musical instruments, or whether there were people off stage covering them, eventually concluding that it was a mix of both. The spontaneous song and dance routines appeared occasionally at other points in the drama and never seemed forced or out of place.
To return to the plot, Marlow and his friend Hastings arrive at the Hardcastle residence but labour under the misapprehension that they are checking into a rather strange hotel with an oddly mannered landlord. Hastings soon realises the truth about their location, as he meets his secret fiancée Constance Neville, Mrs Hardcastle’s niece. Con and Hastings decide to continue to deceive Marlow and the confusion continues.
Marlow meets Kate Hardcastle but becomes tongue tied and awkward, as he apparently finds eligible women difficult to talk to, despite being a big hit with women from more modest backgrounds. She later pretends to be the inn’s barmaid and Marlow succumbs to her charms, thinking he is falling for a serving wench. Kate likes the more forward version of Marlow but her father now has severe concerns about the suitor, given that he is treating him as if he were a servant rather than his aristocratic host.
As the play draws towards a conclusion, Marlow’s father Sir Charles joins the party and the storylines manage to tumble to a happy ending for all parties.
All the actors fit comfortably into their roles and were believable. Idle waster Tony was particularly well acted by Jon Trenchard, making him seem a contemporary figure almost like a TOWIE character. I wondered whether Goldsmith intended him to appear as camp as he became in this telling but it was fun and believable. Tony’s meddling keeps the plot flowing and his interaction with his cousin Constance, to whom his Mother wishes him to become betrothed, delivers a lot of laughs, with the behind her back grimacing, pinching and pulling reminding me of arguments between naughty children. Con was brilliantly played by Lauryn Redding, she made me laugh many times during the show and was my favourite character.
The simple yet dramatic set worked well for the Lowry’s Quay Theatre. I loved the gauzy curtains which were printed with rustic scenes to resemble old paintings. They were used when scenes took place outside and made it easy to change the mood without too much furniture removal.
Overall I thought that this was the best show I had seen this year. Both the play itself and the actors entertained from start to finish. It made me want to see more of both the Northern Broadsides theatre company and also Oliver Goldsmith’s plays.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £19 to £23 (includes £2 booking fee).
She Stoops to Conquer is at The Lowry in Manchester until 13 December 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
