The Engineer's Corset

Bucks Examiner 28th April

Imaginative and thought provoking - that in a nutshell is what Structures is.

This play, by Chesham playwright Janet Goddard, may not be to everyone's taste, but I thought it was superb.

It tells the story of a crisis in the life of Mary Brunel, wife of the celebrated Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

He accidentally swallows a coin while playing with his children in the nursery, the net result being he is slowly suffocating to death.

Meanwhile , downstairs Mary (played by the wonderful Jemma Churchill) tells the audience of her life with Brunel as she waits for news.

She starts out quite reserved, every inch the Victorian lady, but over the course of the play her poise unravels - both mentally and physically as she sheds her clothes to reveal the corset of the title, which is needed to save Brunel.

Jemma's performance is quite simply mesmerising. She commands the stage and the audience's attention from the start.

Her co-stars also hit the right note. Saul Marron plays Samuel Taylor, a country lad who is helping the doctor to treat Brunel and gets a little too familiar with the lady of the house; and  Peter Kyei (Robert the footman) who provides steady (and totally silent) support for his mistress.

The remaining cast members are never seen, but their voices bring the characters to life.

Robert Hulse, curator of The Engine House (The Brunel Museum) in Rotherhithe, plays Brunel, while Nigel Anthony voices Dr Brodie.

Maureen O'Brien keeps the direction tight and gets the best out of the actors.

But nothing could be achieved without the words provided by Janet Goddard, which are moving, vibrant and help bring alive an era of invention.

Estelle Sinkins

Metro April 21st 2005

The play is a fascinating study of the difference between the sexes and their parrallel to engineered structures. It is 1843 and the life of Isambard's elegant wife Mary has become as rigid as her corset. While performing magic for his children Isambard swallows a gold half sovereign and starts choking to death. His Victorian wife, lady and mother of three now has to ponder her future..

Other Reviews

I thought the play and the performance were extraordinarily good  - Maev Kennedy, The Guardian.

 
Not to be missed - Time Out April 21st 2005.