A Taste Of Honey - Oldham

Reviewed By: Natalie Anglesey

Salford's Shelagh Delaney was hailed as a new voice in theatre when this play was first performed in the fifties.

Although it's classed as kitchen sink drama, it bravely explores some of the taboos of the time, including a mixed race relationship, teenage pregnancy, alcohol abuse and homosexuality.

Delaney's play, with its fleeting moments of happiness and raw street humour, became a superb film starring Oldham's Dora Bryan.

She was there to see the launch of its new co-production in association with One for the Road.

The audience certainly made her feel at home.

Stuart Wood directs this rarely performed piece, which began well, but the pace dropped in the second half.

Samantha Robinson plays Jo as a feisty young girl who covers her mother's neglect with a smart line in backchat.

It was a difficult challenge for Emmerdale's Samantha Giles to play the role of Jo's mother Helen, in front of the actress who so memorably created her on screen, but she made a fair stab at it, although she looked far too glamorous.

Andonis Anthony is exactly right as Helen's alcoholic boyfriend, Chris Jack makes a mark as Jo's boyfriend and ex- Ex-Coronation Street actor Bruno Langley, hiding his Street persona behind thick-rimmed spectacles, plays her gay flatmate with sincerity.

A tightening of pace and a few adjustments will benefit this production before it goes on a national tour. ***

© Manchester Evening News, 24/4/06

<< back