NOVEMBER 17 - 22, BATH: PENELOPE KEITH makes a welcome return to Bath next week as she stars in JB Priestley's compelling drama Time And The Conways.
One of the finest plays from the author of An Inspector Calls and Dangerous Corner, Time And The Conways provides an enormously poignant and compelling portrait of a family between the wars, featuring a variety of characters, all with their own stories to tell.
In 1919 the affluent Conways are celebrating Kay's 21st birthday. Both sons, Robin and Alan, have returned unscathed from World War I and the girls, Carol, Hazel, Madge and Kay, all seem filled with energy, talent and hope. Property prices are booming. There is romance in the air and the country is on the brink of a brave new world.
As the drama unfolds the audience is transported forward in time, jumping 19 years ahead to 1938, where the family is again assembled, this time for Kay's 40th birthday; but there is no party, only a grim family discussion on Mrs Conway's desperate economic circumstances as Europe is on the edge of another war.
Priestley's great trick is his manipulation of theatrical time. When the play returns to 1919 and the 21st birthday party, the roots of the destinies of each character are made painfully clear and ironically moving. The knowledge of what waits around the corner adds a huge and sinister dramatic irony to every look, remark and possibility.
Penelope Keith stars as the vivacious matriarch Mrs Conway. One of Britain's most popular actresses, Penelope has won numerous theatre and television awards and was made an OBE in 1988.
She is known to millions for her television roles in long-running series' The Good Life and To The Manor Born and most recently she appeared with EastEnders star June Brown in Margery And Gladys on ITV.
Penelope's many theatre credits include The House Of Bernarda Alba and The Deep Blue Sea. She has appeared at the Theatre Royal on several occasions including The Importance Of Being Earnest in February 1991, Mrs Warren's Profession in June 1997 and in Noel Coward's comedy Star Quality in October 2001.
Time And The Conways
Theatre Royal Bath
Monday until November 22
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