CityLife

Independent Means

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A CENTURY ago, Annie Horniman changed the face of British theatre by establishing this country’s first-ever repertory theatre here in Manchester, initially at the Midland Hotel then at the Gaiety Theatre.

Both venues are virtually next door to the Library Theatre, which can also, in many ways, be seen as the inheritor of that tradition.

So it seems entirely appropriate that the Library is the centre for a series of celebrations of the life and work of Annie Horniman, including this rarely-seen play by Stanley Houghton, the author of the much-more famous Hindle Wakes.

Ashton-on-Mersey born Houghton was one of the group of playwrights, collectively known as ‘the Manchester School’, nurtured and supported by Horniman.

Independent Means first appeared in 1909, a couple of years before Hindle Wakes.

Unlike that well-known and oft-performed classic, though, Independent Means has rarely been revived since its first success, with the most recent outing apparently being a Granada TV version in 1960.

In fact, the Library’s Artistic Director Chris Honer, who helms this production with his characteristic combination of flair and care, only came across it whilst reading up on some of the plays Horniman had premiered in the British Library.

All of which might easily lead you to suppose that Independent Means is little more than a historical curiosity.

Agreeably funny

That would be a mistake as it is not only agreeably funny and poignant but also has a startlingly contemporary revelance, concerning, as it does, the effect on a family who suddenly find themselves moving from affluence to poverty and unemployment in the wake of some some catastrophic miscalcualtions and years of living beyond their means!

Set in the fictional city of Salchester, an obvious amalgam of Salford and Manchester, in the early years of the last century, it’s largely set in the home of respected Northern gentleman John Forsyth (Rupert Frazer), who lives in some considerable comfort with his wife (Olwen May) and their faithful servant Jane Gregory (Sarah Parks).

When their son Edgar (Geoff Breton) returns home from honeymoon unexpectedly early with his obviously-disgruntled new wife Sidney (Ruth Gibson), it soon becomes evident that the newly-wed pair have a lot to learn about each other in almost every way, but especially politics as she is a modern young woman espousing what we would now recognise as feminist principles.

When it becomes clear that the family’s fortune is illusory, some members find it easier than others to adjust to their new situation and to the help of their family friend Samuel Ritchie (Richard Albrecht), a car dealer.

With excellent performances all round and a witty, relevant script, this is indeed somehting of a forgotten gem.

Independent Means runs until Saturday, November 22. There are pre-show talks on Thursday, October 30, Wednesday, November 5, and Saturday, November 22, with an Annie Horniman Day of talks, tours and performances on Saturday, November 8. For more details, please call 0161 236 7110.