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A CurtainUp 
London Review
London ReviewThe White Carnation
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"I'm afraid this will come as a painful shock to you. . . . We have clear evidence that you have been dead for seven years. " —Gurney "I imagine I'm entitled to a second opinion?" —Greenwood |
Michael Praed as John Greenwood (Photo: Mitzi de Margary) |
Michael Praed stars as stockbroker John Greenwood whom we first meet outside his house as he bids farewell to his guests at a party on Christmas Eve. Clad in evening dress and wearing a white carnation, he is a handsome figure. He suddenly finds himself locked out as the front door bangs shut and he can't get anyone inside to come to let him in. Furthermore the house seems to be in darkness although his wife and the maids should be inside. He breaks a window pane, releases the catch and climbs in. In the darkness he can see very little but he strikes a match to find a room bare of any furniture. Within minutes a policeman (Thomas Richardson) has noticed the light and asks the intruder what is going on. The policeman calls the Police Sergeant Phillips (Bruce Panday) who confirms that no-one has lived in this house for seven years since it was hit by a flying bomb, but who recognises Mr Greenwood.
It appears that John Greenwood died in that explosion and is buried in the churchyard. Local dignitaries are called to investigate and there is a predicament as to what to do with the ghostly figure of Mr Greenwood. Mr Gurney, the coroner and representative of the Town Clerk (Robert Benfield), pompously pontificates as he ponders the problem. If you were expecting a ghost story that is not what you are going to get, instead we have a fine comedy of 1950s manners and niceties.
A procession of people visit, the elderly doctor (Derek Wright) who tells us Mr Greenwood has no pulse, no circulation and his temperature is that of the room about 40 degrees F. A pretty local library assistant Lydia Truscott (Daisy Boulton), with an interest in the occult and niece to the Town Clerk, pays friendly visits after Mr Greenwood has had some furniture, books and a radio restored to him. The local vicar (Benjamin Whitrow) comes with a copy of the parish magazine and a next door neighbour Mrs Carter (Josie Kidd) fails to recognise Mr Greenwood but tells him some home truths about his wife Lady Mary (Annabel Mullion). Six months later a ridiculous representative of the Home Office, Sir Horace Duncan (Philip York), calls to announce that Mr Greenwood is no longer a British citizen as he is deceased and has no right to live in England.
The comedy is delightful as people try to come to terms with who Mr Greenwood is and what should be done about him. He fends off their questions with gentle logic and patience. Michael Praed is fascinating to watch, charming, suave and handsome as Mr Greenwood but in the conversations with Lydia we start to get a different picture as he complains about his wife and we pick up a nastier side to his character. After Mrs Carter's visit, he has a chance to reflect on his behaviour and I was reminded of those 1940s films like It's a Wonderful Life or indeed, A Christmas Carol, where the living are given another opportunity.
The supporting cast of coroner, doctor and civil servant have the clipped accents of received pronunciation of 1950s middle class Britain. Benjamin Whitrow's kindly vicar doesn't have an exorcism bell, book and candle in his bag but some black market bananas. Daisy Boulton's Lydia is a good listener and Thomas Richardson, the young policeman is full of enthusiasm and money making plans exploiting the supernatural. Sherriff's dialogue makes this rather incredible play credible.
Alex Marker's clever set swivels round to show the front door and the room inside where everything is in monochrome or silver including the costumes of everyone in 1951 and 1952. The only colour is from the party guests of 1944. Director Knight Mantell also directed Rattigan's Art of Concealment at Jermyn Street and the Riverside Studios. review.
The White Carnation made me laugh with its delicate humour and I can see that besides his screenplays for The Invisible Man, Goodbye Mr Chips, Mrs Miniver and The Dam Busters, there are three more RC Sherriff plays awaiting revivals. Thank goodness we have theatres like The Finborough, Jermyn Street and The Orange Tree giving these plays from 60 years ago space and fine productions.
Oh and the dust coming down from the ceiling as the council demolition men move in, is part of the production!
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| The White Carnation
Written by RC Sherriff Directed by Knight Mantell Starring: Michael Praed, Robert Benfield, Daisy Boulton, Benjamin Whitrow With: Ashley Cook, Harriett Hare, Annabel Mullion, Philip York, Josie Kidd, Thomas Richardson, Bruce Panday, Derek Wright Designed by Alex Marker Sound and Composer: Lucinda Mason Brown Lighting: Peter Harrison Running time: Two hours 30 minutes with an interval Box Office: 020 7287 2875 Booking to 22nd February 2014 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 6th February 2014 performance at the Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST (Tube: Piccadilly Circus) |
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