"CAUSE CELEBRE" By Terence Rattigan, Produced by Tony Hessey

CAUSE CELEBRE
Purbeck Players
Mowlem Theatre
Swanage
April 2004

EVEN before the ‘play proper’ began, the presence of newspaper boys in the auditorium, handing out copies of this very newspaper’s coverage of the Rattenbury trial, indicated a production in which no stone had been left unturned.
And so it proved, with every detail of the 1935 period highlighted in costumes, shoes, wigs, make-up and props, and a marvellous multi-purpose set to boot.
Terence Rattigan’s play, based on the true story of the trial of George Wood and Alma Rattenbury for the Bournemouth murder of her husband, Francis, has an extra meaning because of the local connection - but this production, excellently directed by Tony Hessey, held the entire audience spellbound with the sincerity of its performances.
Rosemary Ford, as Alma, brought out every facet of her character’s complex personality while Tim Spall look-alike and Players’ newcomer Matthew Noades made a very favourable impression as her lover, George Wood.
Among the ‘legal team’, Malcolm Green was outstanding as O’Connor, while Ro Smith (Edie Davenport) and Gail Green (Stella Morrison) shone in the parallel story-line of the jury forewoman’s marriage break-up.
But every member of this 19-strong cast gets my vote for making such an impact with this moving, powerful production.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo