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by Elizabeth Baker, directed by Auriol Smith

Orange Tree Theatre

November 14-December 15, 2007

“The Ties That Bind”

Whenever I’m in London and have the chance, I take the South West train for a short ride to Richmond to one of my favourite theatres – the Orange Tree, the only permanent theatre-in-the-round in Britain.  Not only does the theatre have this unique configuration, but it is also very small (only 172 seats) and welcoming and specializes in rediscovering plays that deserve rescue from obscurity.  In this it reminds us of our own Court House Theatre at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  The size of playing area is about the same as the Court House, but the Court House holds 155 more people. 

On this occasion the attraction was the 1909 play CHAINS by Elizabeth Baker directed by Auriol Smith.  We were not disappointed.  The play concerns the lower middle class living in the suburbs of London at the turn of the previous century.  We think of commuting as modern, but Baker shows us men commuting into London for the day only to return in the late evening.  All of the men are clerks, who at the time, were no more than human copying machines. 

Charley Wilson (Justin Avoth) is already dissatisfied with the pointless routine of his life when his lodger Fred Tenant (Ashley George) suddenly announces that he is fed up with life in Britain and plans to seek his fortune in Australia.  Ripples spread out from this simple announcement.  Charley’s unhappiness grows to the point that he seriously considers going with Fred and leaving his wife Lily (Amy Noble) at home until he makes enough to support her.  The suburban community is split between those who applaud Fred’s pluck and those who think taking such a risk is insane. 

Meanwhile, Baker neatly exposes the suffocating complacency of the middle class.  The play moves slowly to a surprising conclusion.  While the argument is framed as whether one should leave or stay, Baker clearly suggests through Lily’s forward-thinking sister Maggie (Octavia Walters) that a third, more fundamental option exists – namely, to change the way workers are treated in Britain.  The language of the play tends to be repetitive, but Baker likely intends that to reflect the tunnel-vision of the class she portrays.  All in all, it is a fascinating, well-acted play and well worth seeing.

©Christopher Hoile

Photo: Justin Avoth and Octavia Walters. ©2007 Robert Day.

For tickets, www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk.