Being a person of a certain age, there was so much I recognised from Hull Truck Theatre’s new show, right down to the furniture that helped to make up the set.
I grew up with teak and the first cassette tape recorder my family ever owned appeared to have teleported straight from my past and into the spotlight of Stage 1. There was going to be so much more that felt poignantly familiar during this new production, To Have and To Hold, written by Yorkshire playwright Richard Bean.
This bittersweet comedy-drama will have you laughing and crying almost in equal measure. Set in the East Yorkshire village of Wetwang, the play explores the challenges of growing older and follows couple, retired policeman Jack Kirk (played by Ian Bartholomew) and his wife, Florence (Paula Wilcox) who, after 60 years of marriage, have perfected the fine art of bickering.
Their particular frailties are beginning to show but with the support of local wheeler dealer, “Rhubarb Eddie” (Adrian Hood), and niece, Pamela (Sara Beharrell) – plus a stairlift that is cause for much hilarity in the opening scene – they are muddling along just fine. As their children Rob (Stephen Tompkinson) and Tina (Rebecca Johnson) arrive home to help put their affairs in order, chaos descends on the household.
Gripes are aired, and secrets are uncovered. It appears a trusting Jack and Florence may have fallen victim to their own faith in humankind; there are certain things that family members want to get – and may have already got – their hands on.
(Image: hulltruck.co.uk)
The question is, will Jack and Florence be left alone to live out the rest of their days in their own kind of peace (there’s a very touching scene between the two where Jack has a specific and very personal request of his wife, after he dies), or will their grown-up offspring have other ideas about what is best for their ageing parents?
I felt a shared kinship with fellow audience members who were no doubt thinking, ‘yes, I know exactly what that’s like’, as we laughed. By the same token, in the heart-breaking later scenes, you could not hear a pin drop as those same ‘I know exactly what that’s like’ thoughts came to mind and tears sprang to eyes.
Paula and Ian were amazing as “old” people, and very believable. I loved (and in one case learned to loathe – you will understand why if you go to see it) all of the characters and the plot. The cast fully deserved the ovation they received.
Playwright Richard was invited to the stage by actor Ian. Richard paid tribute to the late Mike Bradwell, founder of the theatre, who died last month, and he asked for a final round of applause in his memory.
To Have and To Hold is running at Hull Truck Theatre until Saturday, May 24. Recommended age is 14+