The Stables’s current production, Debra Oswald’s ‘Mr Bailey’s Minder’ was a journey worth the taking.
The journey starts when a young, rough as guts woman Therese (Kate Mulvany) takes on the job of being the carer of incorrigible artist, Leo Bailey (Martin Vaughan) in his dotage, after passing the scrutiny of his snobbish daughter, Margo (Victoria Longley). Journey’s end sees the passing of Bailey.
This was a strong production with good roles for all three main parts. Kate Mulvany gave a striking lead performance as Mr Bailey’s Minder, Therese. One of my favorite actresses Mulvany dominated the stage with a brash, confident performance.
She had a good meaty role to play. Therese played a young, woman from the wrong side of the tracks, who spent a lot of time before the courts. No angel, but with a good heart. And her tough kind of love with Bailey brings him out of his shell.
Veteran local actor Martin Vaughan had plenty to play for. How to describe his character?! Cantankerous old man….Enigmatic, famous, world weary, eccentric artist.
Another favorite actress Victoria Longley was kept busy although a little under-utilised as Bailey’s daughter Margo. How to describe her role? A sophisticated, well groomed career woman…A bit of a nose in the air, superior kind of person..a daughter who didn’t feel any real closeness with her father.
‘Mr Bailey’s Minder’ was well directed by Christopher Hurrell. The play had a good energy level though some of the intense scenes dragged a little. There was a good use of the stage and surrounds.
Stephen Hawker’s lighting design was effective with some good touches.
Jo Briscoe’s set design captured Leo Bailey’s world with its depiction of Bailey’s artistic living area, replete with paint stained floors.
The main theme of the night was the quality of family relationships, in particular father and daughter relationships. There is something of reconciliation between them by play’s end.
My favorite moment in the play…It was one of the turning points in the play and Kate Mulvany plays it superbly. Therese has had a jack of the way everyone, especially Lou was treating her. They don’t want to give her credit for the changes she is making. There is a scene where she decides she will backslide, and goes looking for a painting of Lou’s that she can steal and make lots of money from, and flee. She does snap out of it and realises that it would her into a lot of trouble.
Summing up, ‘Mr Bailey’s Minder’ was an entertaining night in the theatre. Nothing exceptional but a well put together well made play.