Ladies In Lavender @ The Ensemble Theatre

Benjamin Hoetjes as Andrea and Sharon Flanagan as Ursula in Shaun McKenna's LADIES IN LAVENDER.  Production photography by Clare Hawley
Inset pic- Benjamin Hoetjes as Andrea and Sharon Flanagan as Ursula. Featured pic- Penny Cook as Janet, Benjamin Hoetjes as Andrea and Sharon Flanagan as Ursula in LADIES IN LAVENDER. Production photography by Clare Hawley
In LADIES IN LAVENDER, set in a remote village in Cornwall in the mid 1930s, Ursula and Janet Widdington play two very lonely ageing unmarried sisters, who find a new purpose in life when they come across a young man, a refugee, washed ashore on their local beach, and in a very bad way.They nurse him back to health and he ends up making a full recovery.
They find out that he is Andrea Marowski, is a talented Polish violinist.Ursula, in particular, plays an important part in his mending and develops strong feelings for him. They want him to stay. Will they be able to persuade him to stay, at least for the time being, or will Andrea decided to move on with his life, in the hope that he can establish the music career that he has always dreamed about?!

Director Nicoli Buffini steers this gentle, conventional, well crafted play well and with the help of her talented cast brings out all of the play’s delicate nuances.

LADIES IN LAVENDER plays out like a sad, lilting ballad- wistful and full of longing,

Designer Anna Gardiner sets the scene deftly for the actors with a well realised set, featuring the sisters living room with the spare bedroom on top and to the right a clever village backdrop setting aided by Nicholas Higgins’ lighting. Daryl Wallis soundscape complemented the action well.

All the performances are finely etched. As Janet, Penny Cook plays the more reserved, responsible of the two sisters, whilst Sharon Flanagan’s Ursula wears a heart on her sleeve.

Benjamin Hoetjes impresses as Andrea, the young man who lands on their shore and brings some sunshine into their lives. Hoetjes shows a deft skill with the violin.

Gael Ballantyne provides a lot of the light/comic touches as the sisters’ sharp as a tack, all eyes and ears maid, Dorcas.

Daniel Mitchell’s performance is well pitched as the caring local Doctor Mead who carries a lonely heart.

Lisa Gormley is a delight as the attractive, assertive local artist, befriended by Dr Mead, who has a strong impact on how things turn out.

This was a good night at the theatre. Shaun McKenna’s LADIES IN LAVENDER, adapted from Charles Dance’s screenplay and originally based on a William Locke short story, opened at the Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli on Wednesday 8th July and is playing until Saturday 15th August. Performance times Tuesdays 7.30pm, Wednesdays to Fridays 8.15pm, Saturdays 4.30pm and 8.15pm and Sundays 5pm. As well there are some Tuesday and Thursday performances at  11am. Running time 2 hours including interval.