The setting is a derelict Dartmoor farmhouse inhabited by West (Robert
Glenister) a gangland fugitive, and a lady called Lue. West's old partner,
Wally (Jerome Flynn), turns up accompanied by his stepson, Patsy. Fighter
planes from the nearby RAF base frequently blast by over the old farmhouse
where West awaits a visit from two of his old mates from London.
Members Reviews
Review
by Anne:
West (Robert Glenister) played a deranged, slightly mad person excellently,
he used small gestures, eye and lip twitches to convey more meaning than
a spoken word ever could.
Wally (Jerome) was a villian who carried out other peoples orders by passing
the job on to people like Patsy and West. He was extremely good at being
the villian, he watched, played one off the other and had great timing.
Lue (Sally Hawkins) She was a young girl who had left home and wandered
about on the moors until she was found by Draycott. She stayed with him
and then with West because she had no where else to go. She continually
planned where she would go and what she would do if she ever got the chance
and probably would never have actually carried any of it out until the
circumstances at the end of the play forced it upon her.
Draycott (Roger Lloyd-Pack) was a linking factor between the present and
the past. He was a wanderer, a tramp and slightly deranged. He just wanted
company.
The crux of the play appears to be that West wants to return to his "home"
which is london and his friends from a few years ago. He wants to return
to a happier time. He invites his friend Wally and Jerry to his home on
the moors. He then discovers that things have changed, Jerry is dead,
Wally has a new ladyfriend and according to Patsy is emotional and insecure
( a villain should be tough and strong!)
Wally has a two seater car which he repeatedly remarks on. He sets up
West and Patsy to kill each other. One of them will supposedly win and
will automatically have the second seat in the car and Waly will transport
the winer back to London and "home".
However West suddenly understands and tells Patsy to run away with Lue
through the back door and hide on the moors or go abroad together (which
is what Lue has always wanted to do.) West hangs his coat on the hook
and sits down. He is stating that he is opting out. He doesn't like what
Wally has become and he realises that London is not the same. People have
moved on.
Review
by Paula:
Saw 'The Winterling' last night. The play was fantastic, it was funny,
sad and quite haunting in parts. Jerome and the rest of the cast were
great, you wouldn't have known it was the first night as they all delivered
such polished performances. If you get a chance to see the play do go
as it was a great evening out!
Review
by Geraldine:
Royal Court - an interesting theatre. Seats are mock leather in an airline
style. There's elastic netting on the back of the seat for the sick bag
- quite appropriate as the first thing we hear is the roar of overhead
aircraft. It was wonderful to see JF again and in such a different role.
He was one of 5 high calibre actors having conversations together. Sometimes
there were only 2 on stage, at other times 3 but never all 5 together.
They didn't interrupt each other, they didn't slam doors or run around
the stage. It was like poetry with a chorus, peaceful to watch though
the set was grim. Please continue to give us occasional treats like this
as we miss you so much when you are not on stage.
Review
by Suzy:
The play itself was very good, being dramatic, funny and sad at times,and
I did understand it but didn't like the end, it kind of left the situation
unresolved. The performances of all the actors was good, though Roger
Lloyd Pack will always be Trigger to me! It was a nice treat to get 10
minutes or so of Jerome with no trousers on, though it did make it hard
to concentrate on the storyline, LOL! If you can get there it is definately
worth it. Thanks Jerome for another great performance.
Review
by Donna:
I went to see The Winterling on Saturday afternoon (18th March) and thought
that the cast were fantastic and it was a very interesting play. The play
is on for 2 1/2 hours and with only 5 cast members it is extremelly well
performed. The low flying aeroplanes were very realistic and the cast
played their parts really well. I loved Daniel Mays as he is such a natural
actor. His facial expressions were wonderful and he has such charisma.
It was great to see Jerome play a villian. He was excellent in the play
and a real treat to watch. If you get a chance to see the play, you really
must go as Jerome and the cast are fantastic.
Review
by Leanne:
I thought it was excellent and Jerome played a fantastic villain - I wasn't
expecting the low flying plane quite so soon. Daniel Mays was brilliant
as Patsy, I knew he was going to be good when he first came on stage soaked
he didn't half make me laugh - I do hope I get to see him in another show
at some point. Robert Glenister - that stare he does, I couldn't help
wondering how they kept straight faces. I can't help wondering what becomes
of them, I knew there wasn't going to be any closure but it didn't stop
me thinking Wally was gonna come back after ten minutes to find West sat
there and Patsy gone. Jerome was looking fantastic.
THE WINTERLING Written by Jez Butterworth 2 March
2006 - 8 April 2006
Direction: Ian Rickson Cast includes: Jerome Flynn, Robert Glenister,
Roger Lloyd Pack, Daniel Mays and Sally Hawkins
Review
by Anne:
Review
by Paula:
Review
by Geraldine:
Review
by Suzy:
Review
by Donna:
Review
by Leanne: