Margaret Catchpole, Eastern Daily Press: Penetrating Myth And Reality

Margaret Catchpole sees Eastern Angles on their best form.

Alistair Cording's play mixes myth and reality to create a virtuous heroine, the victim of a criminal justice system that induced deference through fear: transported to Australia for what seems to be a minor crime.

Although the play makes serious and penetrating observations on that system it is magnificent entertainment; often funny and sometimes moving; a wonderful mix of drama, music and dance. Its only fault lies in the fact that its episodic nature does not seem quite to justify its length.

Ivan Cutting directs a fast-moving production: the songs and movement are wonderful, with Sean Kemp's distinguished fiddle playing contributing not a little to the performance.

The hard-working cast of seven act their heads off, playing a multitude of parts, save for Benedict Martin as the hero, a cadaverous but infinitely charming Will Laud (and even he doubles briefly as a horse), and the Norwich-born Sally-Ann Burnett, as fiesty a Margaret Catchpole as one could ever wish to see.

A wonderful evening's theatre.

Frank Cliff