Talented junior cast brings J. M. Barrie’s comedy to life

Today, J.M. Barrie is most famous as the author of ‘Peter Pan’.  

However, in the years before the First World War, he was one of the most popular and prolific playwrights of the West End, churning out dozens of charming, quintessentially English comedies.  

‘The Admirable Crichton’ is set in the upstairs-downstairs world of Edwardian society. Lord Loam has radical egalitarian views and insists that the servants take tea with the family once a month, much to the dismay of his fiercely traditional butler, Crichton. His lordship, his three daughters, their friends and servants sail off in his yacht on a tropical holiday, but are shipwrecked. It seems highly improbable, but Barrie uses the family's adventure to make the point that relationships and the class system can be turned upside down when people have to cope with adversity. 

Lord Loam was brilliantly played by Edward D (S, IV), who transformed himself from a self-satisfied English aristocrat to a contended odd-job man with a propensity for handicrafts. Grace G (M, IV), Clara C-J (EDH, IV) and Georgie P (G, IV) also gave delightful performances as Loam’s daughters Mary, Agatha and Catherine, who learn that ‘there’s more to life than changing dresses and going to tea parties’. Luke G (O, IV), Kit M (O, IV) and Dylan H (O, III) were splendidly pompous as the girls’ suitors, delivering Wildean one-liners with panache. Third Former Catherine J (QEH, III) was truly terrifying as Lady Brocklehurst, a bastion of conservative values who is horrified by the merest whiff of social mobility.  

However, the real heroes of the play, it emerges, can be found downstairs. The enormous ensemble of cameo roles were ably led by George T (Ch, IV) as the eponymous Crichton. George brought a wonderfully suave aplomb to his role, fighting tigers and establishing civilisation without breaking a sweat. Crichton is supported by Tweeny, the most junior of the kitchen maids who is proved to be the ‘kindest, cleverest, most beautiful girl in the world.’ Tweeny was played by Daphne W (EDH, IV), who managed both the slapstick comedy and the poignant final scenes with great assurance.  

Special praise must go to the chorus of servants who narrate the story and to the quartet of dancers (Mia Z (QEH, IV), Kazuha O (G, III), Sophia L and Sophia W (G, IV)) who represented the island’s indigenous inhabitants. They brought enormous enthusiasm and charm to the stage, making every moment lively and dynamic. The colourful costumes, fabulous soundtrack and ingenious set design combined to make this frothy, fun-filled Junior Play an absolute tonic for the end of term. 

Dr Helen Brown

Deputy Head (Co-Curricular) and Director of Drama