Table at the Seymour Centre





TABLE
SEYMOUR CENTRE      JULY 2019




“I hate this table” is the first line uttered in Tanya Ronder’s TABLE.
But it is a terrific production , excellently acted and directed.
Tany Ronder’s Table is fluid and shifting but tells the story of six generations, twenty-three characters and one particular piece of furniture. The space under the table is as important as the rest.
We see how The Table was created by master craftsman David Best in 1898 as a wedding present for his new wife. We are then taken through to 2013 and various family confrontations jumping from then to 2013 in assorted vignettes. The time and locale shifts are fluid yet at times perhaps sharply abrupt and possibly a little confusing , but we get the broad sweep of the family saga .The eponymous Table is central to family rituals and unspoken secrets and bears various scars of anger and nature . We see how it has survived two World Wars ,  borne the weight of a  corpse , had children play on it , couples make love , groaned under celebrations and intense fights .Among other things we see how In a convent in Tanganyika during the 1950s, the Bests’ vivacious missionary grand-daughter, Sarah, stands atop the table ,takes off her clothes and offers herself willingly to  the charismatic hunter who has saved her from a leopard attack. For a large chunk of the play we follow nomadic Gideon Best, whom we meet at various points over  the years, from 1951, to his return to England aged 62 : we see the table in a hippy commune in the 1960’s and through to 2013 with an estranged family and an enchanting , sometimes annoying , precocious young whippersnapper in a pink tutu who speaks Mandarin .We see how our personal legacies have consequences that remain after our passing. When Gideon returns and tries to reconcile with his estranged family, he has to accept the consequences of his actions and be more aware of his personal insignificance .
Directed by Kim Hardwick this production is gracefully , thoughtfully staged and has luxuriant lighting by  Martin Kinnane. Musically , Nate Edmondson’s  sound design,  including the Christian chant of Kyrie Eleison blended with Swahili song , is boisterous , vigorous and passionate .
The cast is magnificent , a fine ensemble. Leonine Julian Garner as Gideon and his father Jack is tremendous. As Gideon in a finely nuanced performance we see the character’s many layers and flaws and he slips effortlessly between the two roles combining laughter and dry wit with a touch of idealism.
Danielle King is most impressive as the stressed , embittered and acrimonious Michelle and the authoritative Mother Superior. Chantelle Jamieson is exuberant as Sister Hope and also plays a breezy hippy commune member . Matthew Lee was notable playing two sons. Stacy Duckworth shines as Sarah .Nicole Pingon was delightful as sassy adopted daughter Su-Lin and in her other roles as Sister Ruth and Jess. Annie Stafford plays commune teenager Aisha, among others, in a deft performance while Brendan Miles provides warm humour in the role of commune director and free love advocate Julian .
A vibrant, at times very intense and turbulent play that celebrates life and love .
https://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/table/
Running time – roughly 2 hours 15 minutes including interval
Table runs at the Seymour Centre 26 July – 17 August 2019
Playwright: Tanya Ronder
Director: Kim Hardwick
Cast: Charles Upton, Stacey Duckworth, Mathew Lee, Julian Garner, Danielle King, Chantelle Jamieson, Annie Stafford, Brendan Miles, Nicole Pingon
Images by Danielle Lyonne






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