Edward Alderton Theatre

The Rainmaker
by N Richard Nash

Directed by Jean Franks

12-19 February 1977 (7 performances)

Set in a drought-ridden rural town in the West in Depression era America, the play tells the story of a pivotal hot summer day in the life of spinsterish Lizzie Curry. Lizzie keeps house for her father and two brothers on the family cattle ranch. She has just returned from a trip to visit family cousins, which was undertaken with the failed expectation that she would find a husband. As their farm languishes under the devastating drought, Lizzie's family worries about her marriage prospects more than about their dying cattle. The arrival of a charming con-man named Starbuck, promising to bring rain in exchange for $100, sets off a series of events which enable Lizzie to see herself in a new light.

Cast

Bill Starbuck	Paul Jennings
Lizzie Curry	Glenys English
Noah Curry	Alexander Catto
File	Dennis Bailey
Jim Curry	Roger Ford
Sheriff Thomas	Alan English
H C Curry	Oliver Conerney

Crew
Stage Manager	Gillian Leggat
Assistant Stage Managers	Vera Robinson, Denise Russell, Freda Phillips, Fay Rose, Jacqui Reynolds
Set Design	Tony Otton, Pat Day
Costumes	Beverley Seeley
Lighting	John Moore, Nick Felisiak
Sound	Bill Ayling, Marilyn Matthews

Review

Danger of following the footsteps of a star

Fire and brimstone, romance and frustration are all neatly packed Into N Richard Nash's play The Rainmaker. It is ideal acting material with just one trap.

When Bexleyheath's Edward Alderton Theatre staged it last week they fell into the trap, which may or may not have been a good thing. From the audience's point of view they couldn't have done any better, but if the theatre wants to build up an individual image then their treatment of plays like The Rainmaker will have to change.

The trap is picking a play which has not only been turned into a successful film, but also had the leading role indelibly portrayed by one of the most dominant screen actors of the last half-century. Once Burt Lancaster has used his Elmer Gantry style to portray the powerful rain-bringer Starbuck, it is extremely difficult for anyone else to stamp his own personality on the part.

For the director, Jean Franks, there was the problem of deciding which way to deal with the play. She settled for a straightforward, recognisable style not attempting to eclipse Lancaster, and came up with a highly successful production. The play kept up a good pace, with crisp dialogue, moments of fun and convincing romantic scenes.

As Starbuck, Paul Jennings, who has obviously been listening carefully to Lancaster's latest epic role as Moses, had all the necessary strength and power for the part. He made the most of his Lancaster impersonation to deliver all the blood and thunder speeches. And perhaps appropriately lost the Lancaster ruggedness in the quieter romantic scenes, when he actually admitted he was a con-man. Starbuck meets two main opponents to his rain plans — one he converts, the other he subdues.

Plain Lizzie Curry, played by Glenys English, doubts his power but is won round by his inimitable charm which convinces the desperate spinster that she is really a good-looking woman. Glenys English did well portray the agonised mind of a woman who thinks she ought to be married but can't find a husband. She wavered between being ardently opposed to suitors, and then delighted at the prospect of seeing them. She was, perhaps, not plain enough herself to bring real pathos to the part, but her acting skill made her part sympathetic and strong.

Noah Curry is the second most dominant male in the play. A man who knows all the answers and has his feet firmly on the ground. Alexander Catto gave this character all the toughness it needed.

Denis Bailey gave a solid performance as File, the Deputy Sheriff, in love with Lizzie but afraid to get involved, because his first wife left him. While Mr Bailey revelled in the reluctant lover role, I felt he lost the importance of his eventual proposal to Lizzie. It was obvious when he asked Lizzie not to go away with Starbuck that File was breaking through a self-inflicted wall of silence, but Mr Bailey's quiet approach would not have been enough to persuade a real-life Lizzie to stay longer than it takes to pack a suitcase.

If stars are still being born then the theatre have found one in Roger Ford — a natural actor. As the impressionable Jim Curry he had the extra spark which wins an audience's affection. He produced the maximum laughs from comic lines and cavorted around the stage with a delightful youthful exuberance. Oliver Conerney's performance as H C Curry was the least convincing.

I was glad to see that the theatre has maintained its reputation for excellent scenery. The overall set was solid and credible, but it is the attention paid to minor details which gives the theatre's plays that touch of class.

Bexley Times | 24 February 1977

The Rainmaker by N Richard Nash

The Rainmaker
by N Richard Nash