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4 September 2025
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4****
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In the anniversary year commemorating 50 years since the death of R C Sherriff, it is a time ripe for revivals and it is a real delight to see ‘Home at Seven’ on the stage again. Sherriff, is, of course, rightly, best remembered for his First World War play ‘Journey’s End’, full of detail about war and its effects on those fighting it. ‘Home at Seven’ takes some of those details and transposes them from the trenches to south suburban London just after World War II. The genius of Sherriff was that he was so very good when writing about ordinary people and this play is a perfect example of that.
The story of David Preston who arrives home from work only to find out that, somehow, he has been missing for 24 hours is a clever one and the gradually removal of layers of the story reveal the reasoning behind it and provides a more than satisfactory conclusion. In her programme note, director Claire Evans draws some parallels between the aftermath of that war with the effects of the Covid pandemic – something which hit the country hard in many ways and caused shortages and huge changes to everyday life – and it is a very valid comparison. In a year in which we mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day it is a useful reminder of life not that long ago.
The tiny stage at the Tabard hosts a beautiful period living room and hallway (designed by David Fitzhugh) with well chosen props and furniture, it feels enormously authentic and the jagged brickwork around the edge references the fact that in 1950 (when the play is set) many houses were still damaged or just a pile of rubble from the bombings. Authenticity is also maintained by well-considered costuming by Jan Huckle; particularly the women’s dresses which have the perfect feel.
Sherriff’s script is smart; it is measured and eloquent and not without a certain humour at times. The language is very much of its time which just adds to the period feel – we could have done without the puerile sniggers from some audience members at the use of the word ‘queer’ in its original meaning.
In the central role of the confused bank official, Sam Ellis has great stage presence and very effectively declines from confident husband to a nervous and emotional shadow of himself as his background in the war and the after effects come to light. Bridget Lambert is his faithful wife and her face is so expressive as it shows deep concern and upset at his husband’s plight; the relationship with her husband is so tender and loving – not quite sure if the clipped ‘Celia Johnson’ accent quite works though. There is an utterly delightful performance from Andrew Williams as Dr Sparling, who almost takes on a detective role as well as a medical one; there is an almost boy-like joy as he digs deeper into the case – it is a very engaging piece of work and with humour to alleviate the drama. Karl Moffatt is a super Major Watson – full of bluster and Jeremy Todd a splendidly humourless solicitor. Greg Fitch has exactly the right level of authority and understanding as Inspector Hemingway and he too offers some well measured humour to the proceedings. At the eleventh hour Maddie Crofts gives a little gem of a performance in the pivotal role of Peggy Dobson; flighty, but no nonsense – a cracking cameo.
Claire Evans directs with care and precision – a must on a small stage – but never allows the action to stagnate and the production bowls along at a good pace which never slackens. The play is the thing and with a strong story like this, the director’s touch needs to be a light one – we have that here.
A special mention to the design and marketing team of this production which has been exceptionally good with values so very high.
The story of an ordinary man caught in an extraordinary and inexplicable situation is such a good one and Sherriff is spot on here – it could happen to anyone. It is so good to see a revival of a play which is much more than it at first seems and written by someone who could tap into ‘everyman’ so very well. The play is rarely performed professionally and this is a wonderful chance to catch it.
Cast
Mrs Preston – Bridget Lambert
David Preston – Sam Ellis
Dr Sparling – Andrew Williams
Major Watson – Karl Moffatt
Inspector Hemingway – Greg Fitch
Mr Petherbridge – Jeremy Todd
Peggy Dobson – Maddie Crofts
Creatives
Writer – R C Sherriff
Director & Producer – Claire Evans
Design and Set Build – David Fitzhugh
Lighting Design and Technical DSM – Marta Fossati
Costumes – Jan Huckle
Production Assistant – Jack Cavendish
Production Artwork – Carla Joy Evans
Rehearsal and Production Photography – Yuchu Zhao
Finance and Co-Producer – Alasdair Evans
