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The introduction tells us that the production is based on a novel by L P Hartley, it names the play’s writers, gives details about the theatre company, and provides a short synopsis of the story.

She believes the adaptation worked well due to the performances of the ensemble of actors. She describes the cast of 11 as a haunting conscience for the character of Leo enabling him to look into his past.

Jane Rogers describes the actors using their bodies to portray shop mannequins, branches of a belladonna plant and gates and styles that the character of Leo has to negotiate his way through. The performance is described as tightly choreographed and balletic.

Jane Rogers gives a specific example of when the script ‘told’ rather than ‘showed’ and describes a scene with a birthday cake that wasn’t effective. She felt that Leo’s commentary was superfluous in some instances as the action had already been shown by the ensemble.

This review was a good one. It gave a balanced view of the strengths and weaknesses of the play and the reviewer provided enough examples from the production for both. She also had a good knowledge of the source material which inspired the play and provided an in-depth interpretation rather than skimming the surface.