Close the Coalhouse Door – Oxford Playhouse
Writer: Alan Plater with additional material by Lee Hall, based on stories by Sid Chaplin
Music: Alex Glasgow
Director: Samuel West
Reviewer: Mary Tapper
The Public Reviews Rating: 
A history lesson, a comedy, a drama, a musical, a damning political statement – Close the Coalhouse Door is all of these things and more. Add in to the mixture a completely barmy sense of humour and extremely talented musician and actors and you have a wonderfully heady mixture that delights and surprises.The revolving set is cleverly designed by Soutra Gilmour as a mining family house in 1968 and we are treated to reminiscences as a family celebrate the Grandfather and Grandmother’s golden wedding anniversary. The storytelling takes us back to 1832 to see how patient miners had to be to improve conditions in the mines, with 40 years of campaigns and strikes before significant action was taken. While older members of the household tell us the history of the efforts, we are also shown the reality of life in 1968 – two brothers at each others throats as one returns home with girlfriend in tow, the other resentful and bitter, having stayed behind to work down the mine. These two parallel themes of history and “ the present day” of 1968 are cleverly interwoven throughout the evening and the dual narrative works very effectively adding dramatic interest and asking new questions of the next generation.
After the first interval we look at how things develop between the World Wars and the quirky comedy writing really comes to the fore as the pace ratchets up…. it is a job to keep up with switches of character and sheer zaniness, but always a pleasure, as we are swept along in the sheer madness and speed of the production! All the actors perform well but without a doubt Jane Holman, as Mary, steals the show – whenever she is on stage she draws the eye and her enthusiasm, versatility and acting skills are a pleasure to behold. With no weak links amongst them, members of the cast all play multiple roles, as history appears before our very eyes, inviting interest and producing moments of great humour.
In act three we are shown how, amongst others, Harold Wilson influenced what happened to the coal mining industry and then we are skilfully swept along to the present day with a dramatic updating of history, rich in irony and sarcasm, never straying into maudlin territory and always packing a great punch.
Costumes and set are excellent and with stirring songs and creative musical accompaniment from the cast there is much to admire. My one reservation is that it takes a few minutes to tune into all the accents right at the start of the show, as the dialogue races along, but this is a small quibble in an otherwise highly successful evening. Lighting is beautifully planned and adds pathos and atmosphere to the production, with areas of the stage being picked out for emphasis, and mining lamps and a standard lamp just two small devices cleverly used. The programme provides good background history on the mining industry and its key figures and is recommended.
Music is a delight with excellent singing and sound levels well set. The cast sing both individually and as a group, where they create skilful harmonies, singing with force and passion to create moving anthems. The songs stick in the mind, particularly the rather haunting Close the Coalhouse Door that repeats throughout the evening.
As the music from the last song fades and pictures of closed mines are projected onto a desolate abandoned house it is hard not to feel stirred and moved by the evening. Delivered with good humour and wit this story has far more effect on us that if it were told in a preaching tone. It wins us over with its sarcasm and knowing looks, its asides and bad jokes, until we believe every word of the tale and admire the zeal and guts of the fight, even if it is ultimately in vain. Passionate and full of life. Recommended.
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