Cast:

An O.R.P. Production directed by Alan Wood.

Crew:

This production is dedicated to the memory of Eileen & Wallace.

The Play:

Cadet Ronnie Winslow is expelled from the Royal Naval College accused of stealing. His father, refusing to believe his guilt and dissatisfied with the manner in which the investigation was conducted, demands a new inquiry. This is refused and Arthur Winslow settles down to fight for his son's honour. After considerable pressure an independent inquiry is granted, but Ronnie is not represented at it and almost inevitably, his guilt is confirmed. Still dissatisfied, Arthur briefs Sir Robert Morton, who takes the matter to the House of Commons. Arthur ruins himself, both financially and in health. His family consider the matter too trivial for such sacrifices-all but his daughter, Catherine, who is his constant supporter in his moments of doubt, and who has most to lose.

The action of the play takes place at Arthur Winslow's house in Kensington, London, and extends over a period of two years preceding the war of 1914-1918.

ACT I:

SCENE 1: A Sunday morning in July.
SCENE 2: An afternoon in April (nine months later).

ACT II:

SCENE 1: An evening in January (nine months later).
SCENE 2: An afternoon in June (five months later).

There will be one interval of 15 minutes

The play was inspired by the facts of a well-known case, but the characters attributed to the individuals represented are based on the author's imagination and are not necessarily factual.

Reviews:

(Halesowen News)

Classic tale told with lots of style

Top notch period drama returned to Oldbury Rep this week with a twentieth century classic ably acted by a versatile cast. Spanning the two years preceding World War 1, the Winslow Boy charts a family and society threatened by conflict, the Suffragettes and a disintegrating class system.

Ronnie Winslow returns home from he Royal Naval College in disgrace after he is accused of stealing. But his father refuses to accept the decision and takes his fight all the way to the House of Commons and the courts. Only problem is, the funds start to run out with disastrous consequences for the rest of the family.

Terrence Rattigan's well-loved play has a bang up-to-date theme in a desperate fight for justice against all odds, even if no-one is sure if Ronnie did the dirty deed.

Impressive performances come courtesy of Stephen Downing (lawyer Sir Robert Morton), Anita Peakman (Grace Winslow) and Chris Stanton (Dickie Winslow).

There are some nice comic moments and it's an added bonus an essentially serious play remains essentially lighthearted. The cast gets to show off their skills in a stunning period set complete with leather Chesterfield and one-time revolutionary gramophone. And even though it was Monday night, Oldbury Rep's loyal fans turned out in force.

(John Slim)

A powerful performance by Stephen Downing is the essence of Alan Wood's absorbing production. His decisive, declamatory style as the barrister briefed to defend a 13 year old boy accused of stealing a 5 shilling (25p) postal order makes for compulsive watching.

Other outstanding major performances in a company without a weak link come from Rob Hodgkiss and Susan Wyld, and the father and sister of the boy.

The lad himself is played competently enough by Scott Vanes, but his build sits distractingly with lines like, "poor sleepy little lad", "piteous little figure" and "he'd be more comfy in his comfy little bed".

The phone, placed upstage at the thorn in the family's side when journalists are constantly ringing up, has a disconcertingly quiet ring - yet it is clearly able to summon Mother (Anita Peakman) at the run from behind a closed door. But this is a worthy reincamation for Terence Rattigan's classic play.

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