The Potting Shed *** TNT

Grahame Greene is far better known for his novels than his plays – and Cliff Richard is far more famous for his singing than his acting, but, way back in 1971, the ever youthful pop star took on the challenging central role of 
James Callifer in a revival of the novelist’s 1958 drama about family 
secrets and divine intervention.

I can’t comment on Sir Cliff’s performance,
but, on the evidence of the current workmanlike production, Greene’s
 explorations of Catholicism are more suited to the page than the stage.


For thirty years, Mrs Callifer and her strongly atheist husband (who lies, 
unseen, on his deathbed when the play begins) have treated their son James 
like an outsider. Even as a schoolboy, his mother had little time for him 
and now, in middle age, he’s a damaged human being, divorced from his wife,
 ostracised by the family, living alone in a tiny flat and undergoing therapy 
in an attempt to uncover the root of his problems.


Summoned back by his young niece (in direct defiance of her grandmother’s 
wishes) he tries, once again to find out exactly what happened in the
 potting shed so many years ago to make him an outcast.


Greene takes far too long to get to the heart of the matter. Only in the 
pivotal scene between James and Martin Wimbush’s Uncle William (another 
black sheep of the unbelieving family who became a Catholic priest but lost 
his faith and turned to drink) is there any real tension and this
 questioning drama of challenged beliefs finally shows its psychological 
power. 



Finborough, Finborough Road, SW10 9ED Earl’s Court tube (0844 847 1652) www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk Until January 29 (£9 - £15)