The Holly and the Ivy delivers a special treat at Malvern Theatres (From Hereford Times)

The Holly and the Ivy delivers a special treat at Malvern Theatres

10:56am Wednesday 30th November 2011 in Reviews

ANYONE preparing for a visit to Malvern to see Middle Ground Theatre Company's production of The Holly and the Ivy this week is in for a special treat.

Wynyard Browne's classic play, written in 1948 and set the previous Christmas, is a work very much of its time.

But many of the themes explored - alienation, loss and family relationships - still retain their resonance in the present day.

And, brought to life by a talented and experienced cast, the audience goes through a full range of emotions during the three acts - punctuated, rather unusually, by two intervals.

The action stretches over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the provincial vicarage of an elderly parson.

As various family members return to spend the holiday with the priest and his housekeeper younger daughter, old tensions resurface as conflicts are worked through and resolved.

In the lead role, Stuart McGugan brings warmth and gravitas although his accent slips disconcertingly from the Irish to his native Scottish.

Playing his sister, Sally Sanders as Aunt Bridget has no such accentual difficulties and makes the most of her part to draw out and accentuate all the humour - and there is plenty - available.

The Holly and the Ivy continues at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday.To book, call the box office on 01684 892277.

Or book online now