Blood is thicker than water in The Winslow Boy (From Northwich Guardian)

Blood is thicker than water in The Winslow Boy

10:00am Wednesday 16th November 2011 in Theatre & arts By Rick Bowen

THE crime that gets Ronnie Winslow kicked out of naval cadet school wouldn’t raise any eyebrows these days.

What does make an impression when watching The Winslow Boy is the way his family fight like tigers to clear his name.

Particularly his father, Arthur, whose appetite for the struggle remains undiminshed even when his health starts failing him.

There are some touching scenes between Ronnie and his dad, a character hopelessly set in his ways and these are perfectly played by Daniel Shaw and David Reynolds in Altrincham Garrick’s latest production.

David has the sort of voice I could listen to for hours and they look and sound like a real father and son.

The Winslow Boy tells an uplifting story at a sedate pace and there are some wonderful lines in Rattigan’s thoughtful and at times witty script.

In Catherine Winslow, Ronnie’s sister, the writer gives us a woman who dares to speak her mind in an age where many were still subservient to the men in their life. For me, this is Ali Davenport’s best performance to date on the Garrick stage and Catherine memorably clashes with cold fish of a lawyer Sir Robert Morton, played by Martin Oldfield. I’m rapidly coming to the conclusion that this man is incapable of a bad performance.

The Winslow Boy is based on a true story which ends far more sadly than this hugely enjoyable play.

* Until November 19. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - ****