Sunday 29 July 2007

In Celebration - TNT

Although it's Orlando Bloom's name that'll pull in the punters (and his performance is perfectly acceptable) it's Paul Hilton who deserves star billing. He plays the oldest of three surviving brothers who have escaped a life down the pit to pursue white-collar careers. Unfortunately, this social mobility hasn't proved quite the glittering prize they'd anticipated. For one night, they return to their Yorkshire roots to celebrate their parents' 40th wedding anniversary — an occasion which gives Hilton's Andrew (a disillusioned lawyer turned artist) the chance to rake up old resentments and hushed-up skeletons. David Storey's 1969 working class drama burns slowly (often too slowly), but has a strong (if dated) social awareness, a finely detailed period feel, and a clutch of convincing performances.
Duke of York's, St Martin's Ln, WC2, 0870-060 6623. Until September 15. £57.40-£25.50

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