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7 September 2026
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4 ½ ****
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First performed in the late 1940’s, September Tide is set in familiar du Maurier territory – the Cornish coastline – and tells of Stella Martyn, a wistful, charming and beautiful widow who lives alone but has her admirers. When her newly married daughter, Cherry, arrives home to introduce her new husband, Evan, Stella’s life changes forever.
It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to think you were watching a Noel Coward play when the curtain goes up; it is light, frothy and inconsequential, but the story develops into something far deeper from thereon. Evan, an artist, takes an unconventional approach to life, including his own marriage – he is quirky, sarcastic, Bohemian and bold – when he meets Stella, there is a frisson – the two fall in love, but while Evan wishes to pursue his feelings, Stella fights against it, in respect of her daughter.
Stephanie Willson is a wonderful leading actor to have in your cast and her beautifully modulated performance is a joy to behold; gentle, funny and slightly unworldly, but also troubled, conflicted with a deep undercurrent of sadness. Making his debut for Sidmouth Rep, Jacob Lovick is incredibly impressive as Evan – a character who could just come over as an arrogant prig, but in his fine performance, Lovick offers a many layered interpretation. The simmering undercurrent of sexual tension between the two in the second half of the Act One is palpable and by the interval the audience is absolutely entranced.
Katherine Dodds is super as Stella’s daughter, completely unaware of what is going on and Dominic McChesney makes the most of Stella’s admirer, Robert; his dialogue with Evan is hugely fun as they try a game of one-upmanship. Hilary Harwood makes Mrs Tucket appear a little scatty, but there is an undercurrent of her knowing more than she reveals. Late in the piece, Stella’s son arrives; the underlying reason for his inclusion in the play may give away some plot points, suffice to say, Rhys Cannon gives full value to the role.
The set is a delight and is populated by a wonderful selection of nick nacks and the selection of Evan’s paintings used feel authentic. Costumes too, help evoke the post-war period very effectively and the lighting, sound effects and music create a wonderful atmosphere.
Though the story seems to end rather more abruptly than the audience might want, there is definitely an advantage in leaving them wanting more.
Jason Moore is an unfussy director, when the words can do the job for you, let them and he does – the building of the relationship between Stella and Evan is done without much movement and the audience is entranced, on the edge of their seats, still. This is sensitive direction at its best.
This is a beautifully crafted and moving play with a lot more to it than meets the eye and is graced by a really cracking stage partnership between Stephanie Willson and Jacob Lovick.
The joy of repertory theatre is the change between the comedy of Joe Orton’s Loot last week and something completely different this – embrace it!
Cast
Stella – Stephanie Willson
Cherry – Katherine Dodds
Evan – Jacob Lovick
Robert – Dominic McChesney
Mrs Tucket – Hilary Harwood
Jimmy – Rhys Cannon
Creatives
Writer – Daphne du Maurier
Adaptation by – Mark Rayment
Director – Jason Moore
Set Design – Andrew Beckett
Costume Designer – Janet Huckle
Lighting Design – Chris Jackson & Will Tippett
Sound Design – James Prendergast
Props Supervisor – James Prendergast
Set Builder – Rhys Cannon
Stage Manager – James Prendergast
Sound/Lighting Operation – Rhys Cannon & James Prendergast
Stage Management Team – Dominic McChesney & Rhys Cannon
Season Producer – Andrew Beckett
Season Patron – Paul Taylor-Mills
Photo Image – Sidmouth Rep
