Mixed Marriage, another play by St John Ervine (he appears to have beatified himself!), was one of my favourite revivals in 2011, also here at the Finborough (where else?). Though not as good a play, this second look at a clearly neglected playwright is well worth it; well staged and beautifully performed.
John Ferguson is about to lose his farm and home when local baddie Henry Witherow forecloses on his mortgage. His daughter offers to marry local shop owner James Caesar (any significance of the name is lost on me) in exchange for him clearing the debt (after John’s exiled brother fails to bail him out). Hannah’s true feelings are clear but her parents and brother Andrew have mixed views. When she changes her mind, she sets her parents against each other but when Witherow assaults her, everyone is united.
Unlike Mixed Marriage, its a bit slow, particularly in the first half, with a lot of the story happening off-stage, making the on-stage events too much of a commentary (this was the case in the earlier play, but a soundscape brought the external in). That said, it’s a proper play which isn’t predictable and leaves you satisfied at the end.
Whatever you think of the play, you can’t fault the committed and passionate performances – not a weak link amongst them – and the delicate traverse staging which enhances the intensity of the emotional experiences being presented.
Another find by the Finborough, and a fine production