A comedy written by J.M. Barrie at the turn of the twentieth century isn’t something one would normally associate with Northern Broadsides Theatre Company. Strangely enough, Quality Street, the play which the famous Macintosh sweets were named after, is proving to be a roaring success for them.

By Angie Millard

The popularity of Bridgerton bears witness to a modern appetite for period comedy and Northern Broadsides stamp this offering with their own very individual version of the play. It is presented as a play within a play and is framed by workers from the factory commenting about the action as they change the sets. The Director: Laurie Sansom, placed the production in Halifax where the chocolates are still made and invited factory workers to attend rehearsals. He recorded their comments and has used them to great effect.This  clever idea links the action with life in Regency England and is used to emphasise the glamour and glitz of the piece.

The sets and costume mirror the bright colours of the shiny chocolate wrappers and are in stark contrast to the modern characters acting as a chorus to events on stage.

We expect Northern grit and wit from this company and they do not disappoint, appealing to the cynicism of a contemporary audience. 

The production is a fast paced, feel good experience and the Ball scene, choreographed by Ben Wright, is wonderfully realised, using a fusion of street dance, minuet and gavotte. A strong ensemble supports excellent performances by Paula Lane who is seen as an old maid (at the age of 30) and assumes the persona of her young niece, as a ruse to capture the attention of her former suitor. She is admirably supported by Louisa-May Parker playing her sister and Aron Julius in the role of her lover (returning after 10 years) is particularly engaging. The audience loved the situation comedy and despite Lane’s occasional shrillness, it maintained a crisp style.

Gilly Tompkins plays a brilliant comedy maid and doubles as a very funny factory worker distributing chocolates to the audience. 

All this is a far cry from Northern Broadsides previous versions of Shakespeare and I think a timely reminder that every theatre company should search for new material and add variety to the mix. 

Reinvention is no bad thing, occasionally.

Quality Street is being performed at York Theatre Royal until 20 May 2023. The Director is Laurie Sansom. The Designer is Jessica Worrall. The Lighting designer is Joe  Price. The Sound Design and Composer is Nick Sagar and Choreographer, Ben Wright.