The Harrogate Advertiser

Tennessee William's great play, set in 1930s St. Louis delivered its powerful themes afresh in this sensitive production by Harrogate Dramatic Society.
A Strong cast of four delivered a convincing account of a family at war with itself in a drama described by its author as a "memory play"
The play presents enormous challenges for performers as each character reaches crisis point, but clear-headed direction ensured credibility throughout.
Illness had kept director Iris Mitchell away from the first part of the run, but by then, all her hard work had paid off.
A gripping and poignant piece of theatre unfolded, with impressive performances throughout.
Prime mover in a claustrophobic web of emotions was the suffocating mother, played by Joan Percival. With complete mastery of the Mississippi accent, Joan handled the pivitol role with confidence.
And as an experienced comedy player, she was also able to expose the funnier side of the character's failings with skill. Her appearance in Act II with her hair awry and dressed akin to a pink iced cake was just one of the many moments of tragi-comedy to savour.
Chris Cowling also handled his many-faceted role with authority. Whether as a softly spoken evocative narrator or as the frustrated, over controlled son, all his dialogue had energy and life. His moments of high conflict with his mother were well paced and disturbing in their ferocity.
Rachel Green as the fragile daughter, Laura, was exceptional. A most difficult role to sustain, she never lost her way in the extremes of emotional turmoil her character displayed. Physically, Rachel resembles a young Jenny Agutter and there was a delicacy in her delivery.