Hobson's Choice

‘Hobson's Choice’ was written by Harold Brighouse of the Manchester School of dramatists. He was born in Eccles in 1882, scene of this play.  A typical North Country comedy, ‘Hobson’s Choice’ was his most popular piece. Amazingly, it was first produced in New York, then a year later, in 1916, in London.

Born into an upper middle class family, his father was a manager and his mother a headmistress. Harold started work as a textile buyer, but in1908 he became a full time writer. Many of his plays were one-act pieces; three of the best of these were published together as Three Lancashire Plays in 1920. Harold continued writing until 1931.

He was a member of the Dramatists' Club and just before his retirement became chairman of the Society of Authors' dramatic committee. In 1958, Brighouse collapsed in the Strand and died the following day in Charing Cross Hospital. His total estate amounted to just under £14,500 (£275,000 today).

This play was made into a film in 1954, with screenplay and direction by David Lean. The film won Best Film at the BAFTAs, and nominations for the two main stars, John Mills and Brenda De Banzie.

This play is being performed at Hackett Hall, Draper Street, Floreat until Saturday 12^th May. Curtain up at 8.00 pm.

            The tune, ‘Coronation Express’, fades and the curtains open. It is 1915 in a boot maker’s small shop, behind the counter two young sisters, Alice (Nicole Kaminski) and Vicky (Kate O’Sullivan) giggle as Albert (Brendon Ellis) comes in for yet another pair of shoe laces. Just as Albert plucks up the courage to let Alice know his romantic feelings, Maggie, the older sister (Jeanette Hotop - brilliant) who runs the shop, comes over to serve this nervous customer.

           The shop owner, widower Henry Hobson (Andy Markland) is just about to leave for the pub opposite, when one of his wealthiest clients, Mrs Hepworth (Norma Davis) arrives. She is thrilled with the quality of the new shoes that she bought last week and would like to talk to the craftsman.  However, it wasn’t the oldest employee, clog-maker Tubby (David Young) but Will Mossop (Gordon Park – perfectly cast). On seeing how much Will is appreciated, Maggie makes her move to woo him – pushing poor Ada (Karen Schellevis) out of the way, as Ada delivers Will some tasty titbits, trying to win his heart.

         Hobson returns from the pub with his friend Jim (Alex Hickman) to find that not only is Maggie to be married, but that Albert and Fred (Josh Lang) have proposed to the other sisters. Not much wonder the doctor (George McCabe - fantastic) had to be called in for poor Henry!

Very well directed by James Hough-Neilson, plenty of movement, the Lancashire accents were acceptable, good pace and a definite chemistry with the main characters.

Unfortunately I wasn’t happy with some of the casting. Hobson was supposed to be a large, vulgar, bullying, male chauvinistic, patriarchal alcoholic; sadly Andy – of whom I am a great fan – does not have the stature or the bullying nature. It was like asking Laurel to play Hardy, or Kenneth Williams to play Henry VIII. Jeanette was wonderful, but 35? Sadly she looked the same age as her father. However, I realise that oh so often, a director has to accept the best of the auditions.

The three sets were excellent, cleverly designed (Terry Tinsley) so that in the brief scene changes, a complete transformation could take place. There were many quality period props (Bronwyn Hammond) and fabulous costumes (Terry McAuley) which helped capture the period. The finely selected 1920s music (Alan McPherson) helped seal the era.

Good sound design from Graeme Johnson and fine lighting (John Woolrych), with well thought out night scenes. Mean Henry’s shop would have been much dimmer than the other two scenes.

Having had my whinges, I must admit I really enjoyed seeing 'Hobson’s Choice' again. The audience loved it.