KEITH Dewhurst has captured the essence of Lark Rise in his dramatisation of the first of Flora Thompson's autobiographical volumes of north Oxfordshire rural life in the late 19th century.

Last night's opening of BLT's promenade version - their first such production - took place indoors and outdoors at Smithills. It furthered the belief that this was a truthful record of village life fire the First World War.

Kate Campbell, the director kept on the move like the rest of us, and her excellent planning ensured that we missed nothing as this story of a day in the life of the inhabitants of Lark Rise moved rapidly from setting to different setting.

Sophie Miller as Laura Timms, the name Flora Thompson gave herself in the book, did well, in so abbreviated a version of the story, to give us an insight into the sensitive, soccially-conscious and sturdy character of the author.

Caroline Goudge as Emma, Laura's mother, Laura's mother, succeeded in showing how some women refused to sacrifice their femininity to the hard agrarian life.

Her performance, like those of Michael Tatman and Mike Haworth as ancient field workers was often moving. Tatman was similarly effective in the cameo role of the feeble Mr Sharman who was doomed to the workhouse.

Steve Gill was excellent as Albert Timms, the stonemason. He was also the man who pointed us all in the right direction during the promenade. And Robin Thompson was horribly believable as Twister, the dirty old man with a penchant for flashing.

There were admirable performances by the entire population of the village, including those by some very young members. And none of the earthy humour was missed.

George Critchley in the role of Laura's younger brother, Edmund, showed an an awareness of the play's bitter-sweet quality remarkable in a boy of his age.

There was much folk music skilfully used in the scene setting, and a small band of local singers and morris dancers joined with the cast in a natural way.

The weather was not entirely co-operative, but at least it did not rain. Only the midges detracted from the enjoyment of a highly successful production. Doreen Crowther

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