Review: THE LADY IN THE VAN (ON AIR), Theatre Royal Windsor
Photo credit: Simon Vail
The Theatre Royal Windsor has, in recent years, made a virtue out of the “On Air” productions that it programmes once or twice a year to fill its historic stage. These radio plays - staged as if live in a BBC studio with a foley artiste adding sound effects - are able to attract top acting talent to the regional theatre with their short rehearsal periods and week-long runs, providing a very enjoyable and entertaining experience at a very affordable price. They deserve the support of the local Berkshire theatre-going community.
Their latest offering is Alan Bennett’s autobiographical tale of The Lady in the Van, which was given wide exposure in the 2015 comedy-drama film starring Dame Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings. It was originally published as an essay, then in 1999 a stage play, and in 2009 a radio play, so it naturally returns to the stage as a radio play. It is based on the story of Mary or Margaret Shepherd, an elderly woman with a mysterious past who lived in a dilapidated van on Bennett’s driveway in North London for 15 years.
The play and the film use the device of the author narrating the story while featuring himself as a main character and effectively reflecting his own internal thoughts about his driveway guest. Matthew Cottle plays the narrator, capturing Bennett’s distinctive gentle northern tones and speech patterns from the outset, and charmingly telling his story. Robert Duncan, dressed identically, plays Bennett in his home, interacting with the other characters in the street, perhaps a kinder less acerbic version of himself.
Of course, at the centre of the tale and with, as she says, “possibly” many of the best lines is Nichola McAuliffe as Miss Shepherd. It is a glorious, animated portrayal and dressed in dirty mac, baseball cap and petticoat, she grabs our attention when she comes to the microphone and delvers the lines with delightful comic timing and just enough pathos to get our sympathy. Gradually, the play draws out her mysterious back story against an Eighties backdrop and several literary allusions. There is a suggestion that Miss Shepherd might be a fantasist like Davies in the Caretaker abusing the hospitality while dreaming of greater things. She speculates of phoning Mother Teresa and writing to the College of Cardinals about the next Pope. We learn she is fluent in French, tried to become a nun, was an ambulance driver and despite her apparent aversion to music was once a very good pianist. The result is an entertaining search for the truth behind this mysterious lady.
One of the pleasures of watching these radio plays is to admire the ability of the performers to create characters with a script in hand and a single prop. Sara Crowe switches effortlessly between Bennett’s own elderly mother, a neighbour and the Scottish social worker (with a shoulder bag). Leon Ockenden and Ben Stock play the other male characters whom Miss Shepherd interacts with like louts (with baseball caps), a Doctor (with a stethoscope) and neighbours (with glasses). It adds to the fun of watching the performances. Roy Marsden directs them with just enough variation using a cut out of the Bedford van to keep the limited action varied.
Michael Workman returns as the Foley Artiste up stage left but there is less opportunity for flamboyant or comical sound creation in this story than in previous radio plays and he is restricted to tapping on the van cut out, the door knocker, a typewriter and piano playing. The Foley interventions have been a highlight of previous “on air” productions.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne
The Lady in the Van (On Air) plays at Theatre Royal Windsor until 19 April, with further info here.