The Children's Hour

Scandals, lies, innuendo, disgrace, homophobia, suppressed desire and the dire consequences of allowing conservatism to run amok are themes which are all too familiar these days. The Children's Hour, containing all of these themes and many more to be ruminated on afterwards, was written in 1934.  Lillian Hellman (1907-1984) was quite the liberal/feminist rebel in her day.

However, it was her paramour, detective novelist Dashiell Hammett that suggested she write a play based on a novel - which itself was based on true events occurring in 1810 at a school in Edinburgh. A student accused her schoolmistresses Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods of having an affair in the presence of their pupils. Dame Cumming Gordon, the accuser's rich grandmother, advised her friends to remove their daughters from the boarding school. Within days the school was deserted and the two women had lost their livelihood.

The resulting play makes no bones about portraying the self-righteous accusers as the evil-doers of the piece - and the accused themselves as not only being victims of a boundless scandal, but also of their own lack of self-awareness.

While the writing style is at times uneven in pace and somewhat dry in parts, the multi-layered subject matter most definitely is as relevant as always, particularly when it's observed that the pious adults use 'the best interests of the children' as an excuse to hold fast to their fears and prejudices.

It's definitely one of those plays that many a thesis could be written about.

Andy Kabanoff's sympathetic and experienced adult ensemble cast - combined with seven delightfully precocious schoolgirls - do well to breathe life into the historical setting with a note of genuine authenticity. Sally Bartley and Kathryn Peterson are both solid and endearing as the play's 'victims', Karen and Martha, while Annie Bilton has a field day in the role of the scurrilous Lily Mortar. Marta Cabarrus puts in a lovely cameo as Agatha the housekeeper and Bill Misfud puts in an impressive debut as Karen's trusty fiancée. Kay-lea Sims, Emma Peterson and Chloe McWilliam are all standouts in the kid's cast.

Under Kabanoff's gentle direction, this still thought provoking, conversation piece of a play has been well served. 

Rose Cooper

Images: Kay-lea Sims and Pam Campbell, & Bill Mifsud and Kathryn Peterson.