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| Cast | |
| Mr Braddock | Michael Martin |
| Mrs Braddock | Annette Hines |
| Benjamin | Daniel Cox |
| Mr Robinson | Ian Saxton |
| Mrs Robinson | Claire Kingshott |
| Elaine Robinson | Sarah O'Hanlon |
| Stripper | Jenny McCarthy |
| Priest, Psychiatrist, Clerk, Drunk | Paul Friett |
| Guest, Waitress | Linda Lee |
| Drinkers | Mark Campbell, Andrew Kelly |
| Crew | |
| Stage Manager | Julie Lovelock |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Yvonne Golding |
| Set Design | Phil Newton |
| Set Construction | John Vinnels, Ron Andrews |
| Costumes | Liz Naisbitt |
| Properties | Linda Gay, Wendy Marsh |
| Lighting Design & Rigging | Jerry McKeon, Christine McKeon |
| Lighting Operation | Sophie Naisbitt |
| Sound Design & Operation | Phil Newton |
| Crew | Gavin Davy, Linda Gay, Wendy Marsh, Andrew Kelly |
Preview
Real sex education
Based on the cult film of the 1960s, Terry Johnson's The Graduate opens at the Edward Alderton Theatre this Saturday. Benjamin (Daniel Cox) has a fine future ahead of him which is soon rocked when he helps the insatiable Mrs Robinson (Claire Kingshott) with her zip.
The Graduate, directed by Phil Newton, is at the Brampton Road theatre in Bexleyheath until October 11. Tickets are £6.50 for 8pm performances (no performances this Sunday October 5) and are available at the box office on 020 8301 5584.
Kentish Times | 2 October 2008
Review
Graduate production that's not quite top of its class
The latest production of The Graduate at the Edward Alderton Theatre is rather a mixed bag, writes Stephen Spencer. Terry Johnson's play charts the experiences of young Californian Benjamin Braddock at a crucial part of his development into adulthood. His comfortable middle class values jockey with a desire to break out alone and 'explore life'; his urge to dominate is betrayed by sexual and social inexperience and timidity. However, with the guidance of the sure and insatiable Mrs Robinson, he can steer a path for himself.
Director Phil Newton engages the audience with an effective balance of comedy and heartfelt emotion. On the whole his cast plays with conviction (despite vagaries with American accents which tend to be lost from time to time). Daniel Cox plays Ben convincingly, without resorting to simple laughs. However, the real tour de force is Claire Kingshott's portrayal of Mrs Robinson. From the moment she enters Ben's bedroom we know she is a ruthless force to be reckoned with. She exudes sexual confidence and cuts through social niceties which may obstruct her ambition. She also manages to show a nasty edge as she admits to her loveless marriage (of convenience) or runs down her daughter. Perhaps a little self-realised vulnerability (surely it's there as her world collapses) would have been interesting.
Michael Martin and Annette Hines play the conservative Braddock parents. Ian Saxton takes on the role of genial but helpless Mr Robinson and Sarah O'Hanlon is a rather overstated Elaine Robinson who also managed some tender moments.
Phil Newton created a wonderful sound backdrop of contemporary songs from the late '60s. However, his single set design proved to be a challenge to backstage crew and a distraction to the audience. Given that most scenes are set in bedrooms, the need to change furnishings and bed linen - although the wallpaper was always the same - punctuated the pace of the production. This was exacerbated when the bedroom became a hotel reception or a church vestry. Sadly, the delays left many audience members -unjustly - tittering. Nevertheless, there are plenty of pleasing elements in this production and I left happily humming "Here's to you, Mrs Robinson."
Stephen Spencer
Kentish Times | 23 October 2008
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