The Croft tells the story of….well three stories actually. Three stories of three women in the same place but years and generations apart, but still echoing each others plight: that of disapproval of their choices and lives by the men around them.
We have the Now of Laura [Gracie Follows] and Suzanne [Caroline Harker] who are spending their first getaway as a couple in Laura’s parents old coastal cottage in the deep dark and windswept highlands.
Then there is the Then of Ruth [Caroline Harker again, playing dual roles] and Tom [Simon Roberts], Laura’s parents, and local man David [Gray O’brien]. In this timeline, Ruth has retreated to the cottage after a grim diagnosis and is battling with her conscience and despondency. An older David pops up in the Now storyline years later to lend exposition and embarrassing stories of baby Laura.
And finally we have Way Back, from the 1800s, where evictions, famine and tuberculosis is rife, the story of the isolated local woman Enid [Liza Goddard] who has taken in scandalised local girl Eileen [Gracie Follows in her second role of the evening] to the rage of the local laird. Enid’s sad tale has soaked into the floor and foundations of her precious cottage, affecting those that come after.
These stories cross and entwine across the years with the cast playing multiple roles, meaning the audience has to be on their toes to identify who is playing whom and when. The production crew, to their credit, do a good job of making sure there is distinct differences in the costumes to help us with the story. The changes between time periods are seamless and suggested by adjustments in lighting and sound design effects.
Light plays an important part in The Croft. It’s said early on that “it gets dark early up here” and not only that, as the sky is made to look angry and storm filled and foreboding at various points with excellent use of illuminations.
Sometimes, the stories get a touch too complex and ambitious for their own good. What you may think are important remarks and observations made in the opening dialogues are not revisited later on. Conversely, important reveals could have been really well fleshed out with a touch more foreshadowing and consideration earlier on.
That said, overall, it’s an impressive production with a lot of narrative and moving parts to impress upon the audience. It is filled with a talented cast and who doesn’t enjoy a true-story ghost thriller!?
You can see this show at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until Saturday 14th June. Book tickets here: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/the-croft/
Disclaimer: We were invited to the press showing of this production. This post is guest written by Mr SmallHouseBigTrips.