Review: THE WINSLOW BOY, Theatre Royal Brighton

How much are we willing to sacrifice for the pursuit of truth and justice? Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy explores this thorny question.

It premiered in London in 1946, and has been adapted for radio and film multiple times. This most recent revival opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre in February 2018 and is currently in Brighton towards the end of its UK tour.

The plot, based on a true story, centres on the Winslow family. Thirteen-year-old Ronnie Winslow (Misha Butler), the youngest of the three Winslow children, has been expelled from naval college on the grounds of monetary theft.

His father, Arthur Winslow (Aden Gillett), believes he is innocent and pours all his energy and resources into vindicating his son. The seemingly trivial "Winslow case" becomes a nationwide conversation and is told with a heavy sprinkling of wit by this cast, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh.

The expense and toll of the long legal case affects Arthur's wife, Grace (Tessa Peake-Jones), and their other children, Dickie (Theo Bamber), who is midway through his studies at Oxford, and the eldest Kate (Dorothea Myer-Bennett), Suffragist and engaged to John Watherstone (William Belchambers).

Gillett excels as Arthur, transforming from stern head of the household to caring father, and convincingly portrays Arthur's declining physical health over the course of the narrative.

Myer-Bennett's performance as radical Kate is full of exuberance, wit and courage, especially when faced with hard decisions regarding her and her brothers' futures. Timothy Watson plays Sir Robert Morton, the lawyer defending Ronnie's case, and brings a chilling and commanding presence to the stage.

Michael Taylor's costumes and set are gorgeous to look at, especially the green gowns he dresses Myer-Bennet in - appropriate given her political views. His set of an Edwardian living room, painted a deep teal, cleverly transforms into towering white marble columns suggesting a courthouse by effective use of lighting (Tim Lutkin).

The Winslow Boy is full of heart and humour. It may be an old story but it has relevance today as our society continues to strive for what is true. This charming play will prompt laughter and provoke thought as the audience tries to work out for themselves whether Ronnie Winslow is guilty or not.

The Winslow Boy at Theatre Royal Brighton until 28 April

Photo credit: Brighton Theatre Royal

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