Quality Street – J. M. Barrie On Tour Across The North

I am ashamed to admit it, but I had never seen past Peter Pan in the canon of J. M. Barrie. Of course, it looms so large in our culture what with films and being subsumed into the genre of pantomime, that it is easy to see why none of his other plays have survived. Until, that is, Northern Broadsides bring us Quality Street.

And before you ask, yes, there is a connection with chocolate. Barrie’s play came first, but Mackintosh’s confectionery has become the more famous. History does not record any royalties payment for the use of the name.

This is Northern Broadsides, so the production will merely use the original, perhaps, as a guideline. I cannot comment definitively as I have no knowledge of he original script. However, I am fairly sure that the earliest productions did not include a Chorus of white-coated factory workers nor a street dance quadrille.

As the lights go down, a group of factory workers on a tea break discuss their recent experiences. This is not a scripted section of the play, but taken verbatim from taped discussions of some of the real employees. Those familiar with Broadsides will understand why the Halifax accents are so relished by the cast. This acts as an overture to what is to follow, contrasting their earthy reminisces with the genteel world of the Nineteenth Century.

Seamlessly, Barrie’s words assert themselves and we are transported to the world of Recruiting Sergeants, faithful household retainers and society balls. Naturally, there is a story of misunderstandings, snobbery and class to be resolved. Further, because this is 2023, rampant misogyny is confronted and terminated by a plucky heroine.

Paula Lane plays Phoebe Throssel who, unlike most other cast members, does not double up in other roles. However, she does play her own niece as part of the mistaken identity story line and goes through several styles as the action swings between farce and sincerity.

Opposite her is the dashing Captain Valentine, played by Aron Julius. Having joined the army, he loses a hand at Waterloo, and returns home only to find Phoebe now penurious as a result of his bad financial advice. Will he wind her heart? Yes, but only after multiple plot twists.

The performance of Gilly Tompkins as the servant Patty is a minor one that nevertheless, lights up the stage at every appearance.

Quality Street is a fun ensemble piece that breathes life and quality into a forgotten comedy of manners.