They Stoop to Conquer (From Harrow Times)

They Stoop to Conquer

3:58pm Friday 29th October 2004 in

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A Northolt drama group are going back in time to bring alive one of the comic classics of English theatre.

The Raglan Players' production of Oliver Goldsmith's "She Stoops to Conquer" is a radical departure for the award-winning group, who are best known for their raucous modern comedies. But next week the players will don full 18th-century regalia in a heady mixture of romance, slapstick, farce and misunderstanding that has entertained audiences for generations.

The story follows the beautiful but mischievous Kate Hardcastle, who disguises herself as a common barmaid in order to snare her hapless admirer Marlow. Deceived into thinking her house an inn, Marlow manages to insult his prospective father-in-law, and is confounded by the tricks of Kate's foppish half-brother, Tony Lumpkin. Meanwhile, Marlow's companion, Hastings, is planning to elope to France with his lover Miss Neville, as soon as they can recover her inheritance from her miserly guardian Mrs Hardcastle.

Rising star Rochelle Exelby is irresistible as Kate, and theatrical veteran Bill Wolfenden excels as her father. Vince Alderman turns on the camp in a risque interpretation of Tony Lumpkin, while Liam Tebbit and Mary Almeida display sizzling stage chemistry as Hastings and Miss Neville. Carol Livingstone (Mrs Hardcastle), James Brockett (Marlow) and Keith Baker (Sir Charles) also feature strongly, with Daisy McGrath making a charming cameo as Pimple the maid.

Director Felicity Cox, who has won three directing awards from Ealing Arts Council, said: "You get few chances to see costume drama outside of the RSC, and in fact it was going to see one of their plays in the summer that made me want to stage a restoration comedy. The style is so bold with no need for subtlety, but people will see that it's still relevant today. It is unusual for us to try something like this, but we'll show that it's not just the BBC that can do costume drama."

Performances are at 7.45pm from November 11-13 at the St Barnabas Parish Hall, Raglan Way, Northolt. Tickets are available from Emma on 020 8423 3649, and can be reserved on the door.