CORNELIUS by J.B. Priestley, Finborough Theatre, 2012“So all the time, while you were pretending to work, you’ve been having the most astonishing adventures in that corner?” A forgotten masterpiece from one of Britain’s greatest dramatists, J. B. Priestley. Cornelius played at the Finborough Theatre from 14 August – 8 September 2012 to sold-out houses. Written for Ralph Richardson in 1935, Priestley observes the politics and tensions of daily office life with searing wit and humanity in this hilarious and heart-breaking story of friendship, unrequited love and business. Cast Emily Barber, Robin Browne, Alan Cox, David Ellis, Andrew Fallaize, Col Farrell, Lewis Hart, Beverley Klein, Jamie Newall, Xanthe Patterson, Simon Rhodes, Annabel Topham Production Images
Photographer pictures 1,2,6-9 : Bronwen Sharp Written by J.B. Priestley ReviewsTime Out Critics’ Choice 4**** THE GUARDIAN | Michael Billington “A monumental leading role, which Alan Cox here fills to the brim, conveying the pipe-smoking decency of a man who will do anything to stop the firm going bust out of loyalty to his partner. At the same time, Cox suggests Cornelius is a poet and dreamer who sees through the futility of petty commerce and yearns for a life of adventure. It is a wonderfully two-toned performance well supported in Sam Yates’s lively production.” 4**** THE TIMES | Sam Marlowe “Sam Yates’s production is beautifully modulated and played to perfection, its atmosphere of deadening routine offset by the petty politics and personal quirks that characterise office life, now as then…Piercingly relevant, compassionate and delivered, like Cornelius’s bons mots, with great style.” 4**** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH | Dominic Cavendish “Cornelius, played in the original production by Ralph Richardson and here, in Sam Yates’s splendidly cast staging at the Finborough by Alan Cox, is one of two chief partners in an aluminium import business called Briggs and Murrison…Blessed with a philosophical air of carefree detachment and a theatrically declamatory manner, Cornelius – unruffled and raffish in Cox’s richly nuanced performance.” 4**** THE INDEPENDENT | Paul Taylor “Sam Yates’s engaging and well-judged revival, it emerges as an intriguing period piece that speaks to our times” 4**** MAIL ON SUNDAY | Robert Gore-Langton “Cox is a joy as the boss…in this beautifully staged and fascinating production.” 4**** THE SUNDAY TIMES | Maxie Szalwinska “Everyone in this play has their own modest yearnings, and the director, Sam Yates, takes them seriously.” 4**** THE EVENING STANDARD | Fiona Mountford “It’s rare that a “rediscovered theatrical gem” lives up to its pre-billing. But just this once, just maybe, the always intrepid Finborough won’t be breaking the Trade Descriptions Act, with this superb revival of an all but forgotten 1935 JB Priestley piece.” 4**** TIME OUT MAGAZINE (Critics’ Choice) | Tom Wicker “Sam Yates’s sensitive, well-judged production sees ‘Cornelius’ wearing its age lightly.” 4**** THE ARTS DESK | Matt Wolf “The most exciting reclamation from the English theatrical canon since the same venue produced Emlyn Williams’s startling and welcome Accolade…Funny and endearing…and the young director Sam Yates and his hugely accomplished cast do the occasion proud.” 4**** WHAT’S ON STAGE | Michael Coveney “This attractively strange and surprising 1935 play by J B Priestley, acutely well cast and directed by Sam Yates, has the added chill relevance of being about economic collapse and unemployment in a recession.” Presented by Anna Collins and 31Productions in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre |
