It's A Wonderful Life - Adapted from the Novel by Pip O'Neill & Luke Ofield - Christmas 2018
Small-town clerk and resident good man, George Bailey has reached the end of his tether. He’s bankrupt and bitter, wondering what happened to all his big dreams. With seemingly nowhere left to turn, he contemplates ending it all, believing the world would have been better off if he had never lived. Enter a divine miracle in the unusual shape of angel second class, Clarence Oddbody who is determined to show George that it really is a wonderful life after all… Based on the Philip Van Doren Stern short story and the Frank Capra classic film, Unmasked Theatre are proud to present It’s A Wonderful Life, one of the most heart-warming Christmas tales ever. REVIEW - Philippa Hammond for Sussex Playwrights It’s A Wonderful Life is consistently rated the world’s most popular Christmas film, and now prolific young company Unmasked Theatre have newly adapted the original novella for the Brighton Rialto stage, with musical interludes and a sixteen-strong cast. The clever addition of a sturdy balcony playing Heaven, the bridge and upstairs windows gives the Rialto a welcome extra level, adding new dimension to its small stage space. Jimmy Stewart’s a giant act to follow, and Liam Murray Scott makes a great impact as a charming, physically deft and emotionally intelligent George. Seerché Dindial as Mary the ideal girl next door radiates sweet goodness and Elizabeth McNally is a sour, dour and ultimately villainous Miss Potter. Robert Cohen impresses as fading Uncle Billy, a mind subtly failing as the booze takes its toll, and Tyrone Purling’s Clarence adds that essential Stan Laurel innocence. An energetic supporting cast doubles and colours in the many characters inhabiting Bedford Falls. It’s a huge story, and we’re swept along through several decades of George’s honest good-guy existence. As fate begins to work against him we’re with him all the way. Of course Clarence’s lesson takes him and us into the depths, only to be raised to the right and proper conclusion, and at the end, when the little bell rang … they got me. Dammit, they got me.