She Stoops to Conquer (or, The Mistakes of a Night)
By Oliver Goldsmith
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
 until Saturday 17 November 2007

First performed back in 1773 this restoration comedy has retained its popularity over the centuries and
this new production by Birmingham Rep and their partners The Touring Consortium is a bright, musical
and amusing affair. Once again the Rep has produced an eye catching production worthy of your attention.

This comedy of errors, a farce, has multiple misunderstandings and unfolds over a time span of just one night.

Well known stage and television actor Colin Baker is perfectly cast as the bumbling Mr Hardcastle,
resplendent in white wig and by making the most of the many misunderstandings and failings within his
marriage and household adds considerably to the amusement and confusion. He wears the costume of an
18th century gent well and is the figure head of the play.

We are treated to local accents too, in particular the lovely Lisa Goddard who puts on a strong Birmingham
sound as the scheming and charging about, Mrs Hardcastle. Her costumes are magnificent befitting a lady of the manor and she even manages to look good when her dress is covered in mud.

There is great rapport between both her and M rHardcastle and her son Tony Lumpkin played for all
it’s worth by Jonathan Broadbent. He enjoys plotting with his mother and there is great farce as the
deception unfolds.

Wealthy young man Charles Marlow played by Matthew Douglas and his pal George Hastings played by Matthew Burgess are the two visitors at the Hardcastle’s looking for love but initially only finding confusion
but luckily as the play unfolds and their mistakes exposed true love wins the day. Kate Hardcastle
played by Dorothea Myer-Bennett and Constance Neville played by Annie Hemingway finally get the right man.

The costumes for every player show the detail to which the Rep will go to recreate the period atmosphere and the stage settings of the Hardcastle’s manor, The Three Pigeons Inn, and the woods worked wonderfully
well. All of this was perfectly lit throughout and the action well choreographed with country dance at the
manor and joviality at the Inn. An added bonus was the music written for the play by Olly Fox and this
included entertainment by the musicians as the audience took their seats in the auditorium. The present day prologue and epilogue was a nice touch too.

Director Jonathan Munby’s production has good pace and both the attention to detail and clarity of the
storytelling make it a joy to watch. The production runs until Saturday 17 November 2007 and is 2 hours
and 45 minutes long including the interval.


Review by Clive Fuller
To book tickets or see news of forthcoming plays at the Birmingham Rep, visit http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk