Alan Bennett’s new play “People” comes to The Grand in Leeds; we sent Dave Cartwright along to do his first review for us …
Curtain up, two old women sit in their chairs. A tanned man in a thong creeps in and stands beside them. Curtain down. I knew Alan Bennett’s play ‘People’ was right up my strata from the moment it began. I could feel the blood pressure of the predominately white, beautifully ageing and elegantly attired audience rocket sky high as that curtain descended (perhaps an explanation for the roasting temperature of the auditorium.)
Most probably for the best, the first half regained a tamer feel to it after this initial cheekiness (if you will pardon the pun), resorting to charming the audience with Bennett’s almost iconic syntax and chuckle-a-minute humour.
We are introduced to the family dilemma of Dorothy Stacpoole (Sian Phillips), the elderly lady of a decaying stately home. Her sister, June, Archdeacon of Huddersfield (Selina Cadell) is hell-bent on handing the rotting building over to the National Trust. Dorothy and her loveable, dithering ‘companion’ Iris (Brigit Forsyth) have other ideas.
Endearing to the core, the relationship between Phillips and Forsyth’s drew comparisons with my own grandmothers; misunderstanding modern lingo, seeking satisfaction in the simplest of things and attempting to eat with their false teeth in upside down. Okay the last one was just my gran, but the honesty and sincerity of two elderly friends was portrayed perfectly between the two performers. Cadell too provided a formidable juxtaposition to the playful duo portraying a hard, domineering member of the clergy with an alcohol problem. Priests with problems, don’t hear that very often. Speaking of which, Bennett’s ability to project stereotypes is astoundingly accurate; the pompous National Trust representative with his over the top eloquence and specs on a chain (no offence if you wear your specs on a chain); the slimy camel-hair coat wearing auctioneer with his serpent tongue; the rotund bishop with rather over-ambitious hands (you get the impression Bennett isn’t a church-lover). All of whom serve to compliment and further Bennett’s provocations.
With the first half articulating the family disagreement in an incredibly eloquent fashion, I hoped the second half would kick the argument into a new, unseen direction. Although the angle Bennett took was unexpectedly humorous, I was unsure on its execution. At points the introduction of a porn set seemed superfluous (yes a porn set) and even the previously immaculate stereotypes became laboured. However, as a narrative function, the introduction of a porn set worked somewhat to poignantly reignite life in Lady Stacpoole and will probably make any reader who has not seen the show clamour to buy a ticket…anything for a bit of filth.
As I am currently working at Templeworks in Holbeck, an incredible, decaying Grade 1 listed building the play raised important questions to me about the development of such structures, the history and fabric of these constructions and the activities which take place in their walls. However, I must say, I’m completely with Bennett on this one, backless chaps over the National Trust any day of the week.
Overall, I would recommend the piece to anyone looking for a challenging subject addressed from a humorous and heart-felt view.
Alan Bennett’s People is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 5th to Saturday 12th November.
Tickets are on sale now priced from £15 to £31.
Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700.