David Copperfield
20-22 June 2002
Ilford Recorder - June 27 2002
Review by Sue Leeman
"WOADS spin out Dickens so well"
I had forgotten what a rollicking yarn David Copperfield is, but Woodford Operatic and Dramatic Society provided an entertaining reminder at the Kenneth More Theatre last week. Matthew Francis's adaptation is a brave attempt to cram the complex action of hundreds of pages into a two hour play and makes this piece episodic, even bitty in places.
Director Bernie Pavely kept the action coming, although the pace sometimes appeared erratic. But if those are the critisisms, it must be said that Bernie's cast was well chosen and spirited, particularly Howard Platt and James Argent as David Copperfield the man and young boy. And the minimalist set worked well, lit with a touch of magic by Rob Mitchell-Gears, though there was the odd bit of mistiming. James Argent is an immensely confident, careful young performer and his rendition of young Davey was excellent, aided and abetted by the bubbly Natasha Argent as Little Emily. Howard Platt looked every inch the Victorian gentleman and his performance was convincing and endearing. Wendy Mercer made a good job of David's harassed, sickly Mama, then reappeared for a neat performance as his somewhat frivolous wife Dora.
Deborah Spencer was inspired as the charming nurse Peggotty in a performance that really stood out, and Colin Lewis was marvellous as the willin' Barkis and later as the dotty Mr Dick. Ronald McFarlane was a thoroughly evil Murdstone and Jim Noon was on fine form, playing both the simple Peggotty and the put upon businessman Wickfield. Philip Pinto - who also doubled as David's friend Traddles - was perhaps the most sympathetic character of all as the loyal Ham Peggotty while Robert Flint made a nicely supercillious Steerforth and oily Quinion. Dave Bennett - who also played schoolmaster Mr Creakle - was just right as the ever-hopeful Micawber and Sylvia Zilesnick his worried spouse. Together, they lit up the stage. But if they brought light, it seemed that when Keith Harman appeared as Uriah Heep, the sun went behind a cloud. This was a masterful performance of a role that is easy to overdo. But Keith resisted the temptation and his Heep was doubly effective - so much so, that you could almost feel your flesh crawl.
Carole Mouat made each of the roles of David's aunt Betsey Trotwood and Steerforth's mother believable, and Gill Newlyn gave a competent performance as Agnes Wickfield, although I felt more could have been teased out of the relationship between Agnes and David. Dawn Young was a bitter, biting Rosa Dartle. The costumes and sound effects were good, although there were one or two problems with props. All in all WOADS did a fine job with a very challenging piece.