RSC Friends

I had just read Michael Billington’s very complimentary review of Love for Love and I was eagerly looking forward to seeing it. The opportunity to hear director Selina Cadell speaking about her approach to Restoration Comedy presented a great opportunity to appreciate the process that the company had been through to create this acclaimed production.

Selina’s plays try to bring back the lightheartedness to restoration comedies,balancing the satire and acidic wit that dominates in some productions. She affirmed that the plays need to breathe and, in a vivid analogy, ‘You need air to make a cake’. Selina’s involvement with RSC costume department has been faithful to the spirit of C17 dress but with a modern twist that includes Doc Martin’s and a punk quiff! The mix of modern fabrics and traditional dress adds a delightful visual dimension to the play.

Selina Cadell is of course an actress of long standing and shared many anecdotes with the audience including playing next to Joan Hickson in Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and as Miss Tishell, the permanently neck-braced pharmacist in Doc Martin. The highs and lows of an actor’s life always gains the avid attention of a Friends’audience and this was no exception.

On a more serious note Selina expressed concern about poor remuneration in her profession and the virtual mpossibility of making touring theatre pay. Selina paid tribute to the RSC’s support for Love for Love and its enthusiasm for women directors.

When asked about her future career Selina said she would like to continue teaching, direct an opera and return to the RSC. Friends voiced their enthusiasm for these proposals and some suggested The Beggars Opera. We look forward eagerly to Selina’s continued association with RSC.