Albert Nobbs is sparkling entertainment at the Lichfield Garrick!

Albert Nobbs

Lichfield Players

Lichfield Garrick Studio Theatre

Wednesday 23 October 2024

Review by Jono Oates

When I started my own tourism business in 2017, one of my earliest theatre reviews was for the Lichfield Players on 18 October 2017 when I reviewed their production of A Kick in the Baubles, by playwright Gordon Steel, with Players’ actor Chris Stanley as the head of the household.

Seven years later, almost to the day, I was back in the Lichfield Garrick Studio Theatre reviewing another Gordon Steel play, put on by the Lichfield Players, this time called Albert Nobbs, where the head of the household is played by…Chris Stanley!

The play was produced first in 2003 by the Hull Truck Theatre, and, as well as A Kick in the Baubles and Albert Nobbs, Steel has written several comedic plays, including Cock and Bull, which featured in the Channel 4 Sitcom Festival

Albert Nobbs tells the story of Albert, a recently retired, and recently widowed, gruff and hot-tempered Northerner who is visited by the ghost of his late wife, Connie, who encourages him to continue to live his life and enjoy himself, even without her. Albert is encouraged by Connie’s close friend, Rose, and the scatty, and slightly bonkers, fun-loving Alice. Through a series of flashbacks, we see the 40-year relationship between Albert and Connie, from young lovers, to marriage, to retirement. Albert wants a peaceful retirement but is badgered by Connie to get up and go out, to travel the world and seek new adventures. The couple argue like cat-and-dog but when Connie’s life is cruelly cut short, Albert realises just how much he misses her. Rose is keen to become very close to Albert, but he feels he still has a duty to remain faithful to his soulmate. Will Albert break free from the safety of his armchair and newspaper and will Connie approve of the blossoming romance between her former husband and best friend?

Albert Nobbs is a very, very funny play (despite the slightly dark background of Connie’s passing and the ‘it’s grim-up-North’ setting) with plenty of truly laugh-out loud lines and storylines, which kept the very appreciative Garrick Studio audience amused and entertained. The script is very sharp and witty, and the play rattles along at a sprightly pace. As well as the comedy there also moments of tenderness, pathos and understanding, as we see that Albert is not just a grumpy old man, but that he had true love for Connie, and misses her desperately. The play certainly has similarities with Noel Coward’s play (later made in to a film) Blithe Spirit, and also with the 1990 film Ghost.

Chris Stanley as the eponymous hero is superb throughout, highly believable as the crotchety head of the household who feels that everything, and everyone, is conspiring against him, and has some classic put-down lines that mirror his outlook on life. Denise Barber plays late wife Connie with humour, empathy and also feistiness, as she certainly gives as good as she gets in her exchanges with Albert. Carol Talbot is Rose, who insists on calling Albert Albie, much to his annoyance, and Rosemary Bodger plays the scatty Alice to perfection. The cast are all superb, and first night jitters were definitely not in evidence, a very assured opening night.

The director is Stefan Dufaye, making his directorial debut, assuredly guides an experienced Players’ cast. The set design is simple but effective, and the atmospheric lighting helped to transport you to other locations as Connie and Albert relive their life story. I also really liked the ‘human’ cupboards and coat stands, very clever. Finally, a shout-out to the soundtrack, with the peerless Frank Sinatra crooning away in the background, what a voice, and a fitting background to this funny, and classy, play.

Definitely one of the best plays I have reviewed over the last seven years, I would highly recommend it, it is a perfect comedy to cheer the senses on a cold Autumnal evening – ticket sales are looking strong for the remaining performances and I would recommend snapping up the remaining seats. Tickets are £18.50 which is cracking value for a very funny, and moving, evening’s entertainment. If you haven’t been since the recent refurbishment, it’s also a good opportunity to look at the new-look theatre, the Green Room and upper bar have been upgraded, and there are now additional toilets to improve accessibility for wheelchair users.

Please note that the play contains strong language and adult themes.

Albert Nobbs, by the Lichfield Players, is on at the Lichfield Garrick Studio Theatre, until Saturday 26 October, evening performances start at 7.45pm and there is a matinee performance on Saturday at 2.45pm. Tickets start from £18.50 and can be booked by ringing the Box Office on 01543 412121, calling in to the Garrick Box Office on Castle Dyke during normal opening hours, or by booking online at:

https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/whats-on/all-shows/albert-nobbs-lichfield-players/3349