“One of the funniest shows I have ever watched” – Brief Encounter at the Lowry

Megan Chapman | 23rd February 2018

Laura (Isabel Pollen) above the train in Brief Encounter

I feared Brief Encounter by Noël Coward would be a black and white bore-fest, after all it was written in 1936. However, it was actually one of the funniest and most enjoyable shows I have ever watched.

The classic has been reinvented to fit the Lowry’s stage whilst still paying homage to the cinematic form that made it famous.

In the opening scenes, Laura (Isabel Pollen- Law and Order, The Merchant of Venice) steps seamlessly from the stage, where she was saying her last goodbye to Alec (Jim Sturgeon– Vera, A Christmas Carol), into the footage of her living room back to her husband. Combining both mediums was a risky move, but it paid off and kicked the show off to a good start.

The use of the stage itself was very well done. The show still managed to feel like it had several separate set changes despite only moving a few props at a time.

The use of lights in the show, especially the use of orange in the boat scene to portray a sunset, also helped the set come to life and look different in every scene.

The show perfectly balanced the extreme emotions the characters were experiencing with highly entertaining comedy.

The highlights of the show for me were Dean Nolan (Macbeth, Cinderella) and Beverly Rudd (Shameless, Coronation Street).

Nolan entertained the whole audience before he even stepped foot on stage. Dressed as an usher, he patrolled the aisles claiming it was all okay because he ‘’had a torch’’. It was highly amusing watching people ask him to help them find their seats.

Once on the stage, it was clear he was in his element. He played both Fred and Albert to their full potential. Albert had perfect comedic timing and was very cheeky. Whereas Fred was slow, dull and yet still lovable, which provided a reason for Laura’s inner turmoil. Each time Nolan was on stage it was a fantastic performance and he certainly deserves high praise for it.

Beverly Rudd was in her own league. Her portrayal of Beryl, Dolly, Hermione and the waitress were spot on and so varied. The accents certainly topped off each performance. Every move she made had the audience howling with laughter. She was arguably the best part of the whole night.

Stanley (Jos Slovick) and Beryl (Beverly Rudd)

Lucy Thackery (Casualty, A Midsummer’s Night Dream) who played Myrtle and Mary alongside Rudd’s characters, Beryl and Dolly, most certainly deserves a mention. Her acting was top notch and hilarious. The chemistry between Thackery and Nolan, as Myrtle and Albert, was also a delight to watch and you generally started to want these characters together.

The two principal roles were also not to be missed. Laura’s passionate piano solo at the end of the show was breath-taking; you could feel the emotion pouring out of her just before the classic ‘The End’ was projected onto the screen. As for Alec, his sweet and humorous demeanour had the whole theatre falling at his feet.

This spellbinding musical by director Emma Rice is not to be missed. It’s most definitely a five-star show.

Laura (Isabel Pollen) and Fred (Dean Nolan)

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Celebrities enjoy Brief Encounter at the Lowry Theatre in Salford – before London