Published at 11:53, Monday, 25 February 2008

The Hired Man, Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven, Saturday, February 23MELVYN Bragg’s simple tale of what happens to a Cumbrian lad after he is hired to work on the land at the turn of the 20th century made for an evening of gripping entertainment.

Lord Bragg’s strength is in his mastery of language and the way he can paint the perfect image of a world lost forever yet make it come alive today.

With a few well-chosen phrases he can transport the modern generation to a world they never knew and remind a previous generation of a past they have left behind.

For this musical production, his work was pared down from its usual rich tapestry of 500 pages to a stage consisting of one backdrop, four chairs and 20 songs spanning 22 years.

Among a raft of strong performances, Richard Colvin as John and Claire Sundin as Emily were particularly touching, especially in their duet.

With speech stripped to a bare minimum, The Hired Man is more opera than musical, tracing the lives of two newlyweds as they fight to make their way in a harsh and uncompromising world.

At the Cockermouth Hiring Fair, John Tallentire leaves behind his Wigton family to make a new life for himself and wife Emily 18 miles and a world away .

Although the story is set more than 100 years ago, many a modern family would recognise the issues raised – progress and modernisation destroying the livelihoods of the workers and restless souls hoping for a better future for themselves and their children.

Howard Goodall’s superb score was beautifully interpreted by the New Perspectives Theatre Company as it galloped us across the Cumbrian fells, into the hell of Paschendale and under the Irish sea where many men died mining Whitehaven’s black stone – coal.

Since its opening in Southampton in 1984, The Hired Man has gone on to be a hit West End musical, and it’s timeless tale of love and loss remains as fresh and compelling as ever.

LOUISE GREEN

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk