Margaret Catchpole: The Stage

To mark Eastern Angles' 30th anniversary the company has revived Margaret Catchpole, a play about an 18th century Suffolk woman who stole a horse, was reprieved from the gallows, and eventually transported to Australia. The company first presented Alastair Cording's piece in 2000 to mark the millennium. On this occasion it's being presented in the atmospheric Hush House in Bentwaters Parks, formerly a US air force fighter jet hangar. Designer Rosie Alabaster fills the large space imaginatively with large white draped sails, a landing stage (that doubles as a boat, a farmhouse kitchen, an inn and a prison), a Suffolk sand dune, and a real crunchy stone beach.

In this space our story is told by a Community Chorus some 12 strong, a quartet of musicians and six actors. The first half takes some time to gather pace; 15 minutes clipped would have been to the drama's advantage but the second half, culminating in Margaret walking away from us down a long, long tunnel into the light of her new dawn provides some memorable moments.

Rosalind Steele is a feisty Margaret. From first to last she is a survivor but there is warmth and tenderness along the way. As the plodding simpleton John Barry, Liam Bewley catches the man's loyalty and honesty. Peter Sowerbutts' rich voice is used to good effect as Margaret's widower father and particularly as Doctor Stebbings, Margaret's sometime benefactor. Becky Pennick plays three different Suffolk countrywomen, all with gaiety and aplomb. Gareth Hinsley is a suitably imposing Judge and Francis Woolf brings some magical allure to Will, Margaret's true love. The moment of his death by shooting is very effectively played.

Hugh Homan