REVIEW: Folk, Frinton Summer Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Frinton Summer Theatre

25 July 2023

5 Stars Frinton Summer Theatre Website

Here at Frinton Summer Theatre comes only the second production of Nell Leyshon's play following its Hampstead debut. It's a gorgeous, beautifully written play that is given an extraordinary production here, with excellent direction by Emily Raymond bringing out every nuance of the story. Central is the tradition of folk singing, where recently bereaved sisters Louie and Lucy sing the songs their mother created and sang. Into Louie's life comes Cecil Sharp, a professional musician who wants to record the songs for prosperity. He adapts and publishes the work, without Louie's permission or crediting her, and it opens a fascinating, passionate debate about ownership and the oral, and aural, song tradition.

The narrative journey follows Louie from a grieving, shy girl who can't even look at Sharp when she first sings to him, to a woman strong enough to find her voice and look him in the eye and tell him what he did was wrong. Hannah Traylen is extraordinary as Louie, her beautiful voice captivating the auditorium, her passion lighting the space. As her sister, down-to-earth, practical Lucy, Gemma Sutton is equally good, presenting a realistic portrayal of hard-working country life. William Oxborrow is excellent as Sharp, convincing us that his motives were not malicious, but over-enthusiastic and naïve, Louie's puncturing of his pomposity is a joy to watch. Ben Castle-Gibb does well with the slightly underwritten part of John, but he clearly presents the exploitation of the sisters, complaining that they are not sewing gloves fast enough, uses Lucy as a convenient lover before emigrating to Canada without her.

I'm the second half there is an outstanding sequence when Louie walks Sharp through the countryside of one song, and it made me think of the current debate regarding AI. Technology will never write anything as beautiful as this play, like Sharp, it will always be caught in the tram lines. The gorgeous set by Sorcha Corcoran and Pip Thurlow's lighting creates the perfect atmosphere, and the music and singing support by Pat Whymark allows the folk tradition to take centre stage. The duet by the sisters at the end had the audience in rapt attention, then rising to their feet. It's an absolute gem, I urge you to see it!

Until Saturday July 29th.