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Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse
(Director Tony Boncza) A comedy based around the battle of wills between Hobson, a hard-headed cobbler, and his daughter Maggie, who defies him by marrying his most downtrodden worker.
Hobson’s Choice, Churchill Productions, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
THIS company has long had a reputation for quality productions, and it therefore comes as no surprise that once again they have come up trumps and enhanced that reputation even further with a production—directed by Tony Boncza—that is well-nigh perfect in every way.
No detail is spared to bring 1880s Salford to life, so sets, props and costumes are a visual delight and you just know that there would be cobbled streets if you could only peep outside. The play’s success largely depends on the strength of the three main characters, and in this production they could move mountains. Fritz Davidson is a fine, blustering Henry Hobson, a character who is totally dominated by his forceful, independent and roost-ruling elder daughter Maggie (an absolutely superb Sammy Boyle) whose decision to marry the gentle boot-maker Willie Mossop (a lovely characterisation from Mark Ritchie) is not to be argued with.
Among the also excellent supporting cast, Emma Thompson and Tracey Nicholls more than make their mark as Maggie’s younger sisters Alice and Vickey, with Stuart Glossop and Rob Cording giving strong performances as their soon-to-be husbands Albert Prosser and Freddy Beenstock.
—Linda Kirkman
