Review: A Kind of Loving

It was a novel, then a film, a television series and now a stage adaptation.

It would be easy to forget how significant Stan Barstow’s story must have been when it was first released, given how far we have moved on from the world in which it is set. The story of a young couple who, after a single liaison, find themselves “in the family way”, it is the tale of a young man who finds himself cornered into “doing the right thing” and the consequences of the decision and one careless moment – consequences that reverberate through the rest of his life.

In an increasingly amoral society, where religion and its attendant values are as removed from our lives as telephone boxes, does this story hold any relevance any longer? Well, no. While there are still pockets of society where this story might hold some kind of resonance, for the most part this story is just too far removed from the way we live today to mean anything. However, what lifts it as a piece of theatre is John Godber’s work, to some extent as the adapter of this piece, but more specifically as the director. He laces it throughout with a sense of humour and the hand of a director who is not taking himself, or the work, too seriously. He treats it with respect, but not deference. It makes it light enough to be enjoyed and not feel like a history lesson.

Barstow’s novel appeared in 1960, going on to be filmed by John Schlesinger, starring Alan Bates and Thora Hird two years later. Godber’s adaptation was first presented as a script-in-hand work at a festival in Ossett last year. He has worked it up into a full production for Wakefield and the care and attention given to the piece is entirely evident.

Byron Owen plays Vic Brown, who narrates the story of his falling for Ingrid Rothwell, played by Coronation Street’s Vicky Binns, and her falling pregnant.

Starting out meekly, Owen is cowed by the more experienced cast around him, but grows with the part to become a character we enjoy spending time with. A kind of less cool and impressive version of Alfie, if you like.

What really makes this piece is the evocation of a time and place – specifically, a West Yorkshire of the 1950s, where washing lines hung across the street and women washed their steps because it was the best place from which to catch all the street’s gossip. Robert Hudson, particularly when playing a drunken pal of Vic Brown’s is as compelling as ever and all the older cast – regular John Godber company actors – make you feel like this is a piece of work in safe hands.

Vicky Binns as young Ingrid finds various layers to the character and does some impressive stage work as she vacillates between being in love with the man she’s married and holding him in contempt.

To March 23.