BEING an adaptation of a novel by Henry James, it is unsurprising that The Heiress is a long and wordy play. Perhaps both aspects could have been trimmed a little, but this production does pack quite a few emotional punches.
The story is set among the wealthy classes of late nineteenth century New York and titular character is Catherine Sloper, who will one day inherit a large fortune.
But she is lacking in social skills and self-confidence, thanks to the emotional cruelty meted out by her widowed father, who is a compassionate doctor but desperately unkind to his daughter.
When an impoverished but suave young man enters Catherine’s life and almost immediately proposes marriage, the gulf between father and daughter widens immeasurably.
In the role of Catherine, Charlotte Cooper captures the initial gaucheness of the character very well and also contributes a powerful emotional breakdown and a steely personality change.
Steve Marsden plays the seducer Morris Townsend. He acts the role well and keeps us guessing as to the man’s motives. Is he sincere or a gold-digging cad? Not until the very effective ending is the issue resolved – and perhaps not even then.
The elderly Dr Sloper is played by David Payne, in his first ever role. With that in mind, he does well, and his occasional stiffness suits the part.
In a production where American accents ebb and flow, some of the most accomplished acting comes from Susan Gledhill, who plays an aunt and would-be matchmaker with real skill.
Directed by Enid Luty, The Heiress continues until Saturday, when there is also a matinee.
