Hobson's choice

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Author: Joyce Handbury

Hobson’ Choice is a play by Harold Brighouse and was written in 1915. It tells the story of Henry Hobson, a widowed boot manufacturer, who is the owner of a small shop in Salford, Lancashire in the 1880’s. Hobson is a tyrannical, self-absorbed man who mistreats his three daughters, Maggie, Alice and Vickey. However, Maggie defies her father by marrying Willie Mossop, his most shy and talented bootmaker. She helps Will to develop his potential and together they turn the tables on Hobson.

The play has been performed at two different venues each for two nights so scenery etc. has to be such that it can be easily dismantled, moved and reset. Whist the set was simple it most adequately, by the added use of excellent props, provided the various scenarios. There was a black screen right across the back of the small stage and a reception desk, hat stand and chairs to depict the interior of the shop. Various other items of furniture were utilised for other scene interiors. To the stage right and at floor level an area was curtained off and it wasn’t till Will was loudly summoned that a trap door was raised and out popped Will. It was ingenious and so effective.

The huge role of Henry Horation Hobson was brilliantly played by Chris Pawley. He totally dominated the stage capturing the arrogance, the pomposity and controlling nature of Henry to perfection. He was completely dependent on his daughters but wouldn’t allow himself to admit it, but in the end, even though he was finally thwarted and had to accept a partnership with his former employee, he still had a futile outburst of frustrated rage and although he had been a belligerent man, to see his demise from arch bully to a total acceptance of his new status, Chris so wonderfully delivered this, especially his final outpouring. It was indeed a truly great performance. Another excellent performance came from Kate Stuart as Henry’s eldest daughter, Maggie. She definitely was in charge of the household organising everything and everyone. She stubbornly stood up to her father, was quite bossy, but when she saw the potential of setting up a business of her own by ‘persuading’ Will to marry her, she finally could see her way clear to escaping the clutches of her father. She was a strong and formidable character but Kate not only played superbly to these strengths but she also brought out the loving and tender feelings she eventually felt towards Will but, woe betide anyone who tried to belittle him. A top-notch portrayal came from Peter Wilmot as Will Mossop. He was every inch the downtrodden, timid, loyal, obedient, hard working bootmaker and his facial expressions and whole demeanour were just sublime. The transformation from these characteristics, as he grows in confidence under the guidance of Maggie, to becoming a ‘man’ was so impressively achieved. Tess Edmonds as Alice Hobson and Jodi-Lee Thomas as Vickey Hobson each played their different characteristics splendidly and made the transition from subdued and disheartened daughters and shop girls to ladies of fashion so naturally and quite amusingly. Chris Gale was an absolute hoot as Tubby Wadlow, a shoemaker working for Hobson. His shuffling around the stage was hilarious as was his ‘disappearance’ through the trap door and he even received applause, when keeping up these shuffling movements, as he helped move props. Excellent support came from Joe Murphy as Albert Prosser, the Lawyer of Henry, from Pauline Revill as Mrs Hepworth, a regular and wealthy customer, from Martin John Devaney as Jim Heeler, Hobson’s friend and drink-buddy, from Jamie Beesley, the easy going son of a successful tradesman, from Rose Robinson as the angry, ex-girlfriend of Will and from Simon Brister (super Scottish accent) as Dr. Macfarlane. 

Although the set was minimal, it was definitely enhanced by the admirable props and a good lighting plot. The absolutely fabulous and stunning costumes, for both the men and the ladies, were so in keeping with the period of the play. This was a thoroughly enjoyable, amusing and dramatic production and congratulations must go to Director Alicia Bloundele, to the most exceptional and talented cast, to the Back Stage Crew and to the Front of House Team. Also my sincere thanks for the very warm welcome and hospitality that I received.