Blue Stockings

Hamble Players Youth Theatre

Memorial Hall, Hamble

In the wake of the UK gaining its second female Prime Minister, a story focusing on the struggle for women's education, rights and public role is incredibly prescient.

Jessica Swale's play is the fascinating tale of four women students at Girton College, Cambridge, in 1896. By turns moving, comic and heartfelt, it was also somewhat educational as we were introduced to many of the philosophical, scientific and other ideas prevalent at the time.

The cast really threw themselves into the material and performed with a great deal of passion and commitment. There were some really nicely handled scenes and excellent interaction between the players. Isabelle Whitcher captured Tess's steely determination and lack of self confidence well and there was particularly good support from Eloise Green (Miss Blake) and Charlie Baxter (sympathetic Mr Banks).

While the staging used the auditorium and lighting well, the constant changing of props between scenes did ultimately become a little intrusive.

Karen Robson