Virago Theatre Production of "A Taste on Honey"

Virago Theatre Company production of Shelagh Delaney’s “A Taste of Honey”
It’s been a while since I saw this “kitchen drama” by Shelagh Delaney. I first saw “A Taste of Honey” in the original West End production at the Wyndham Theatre with Dora Bryan, Robert Stephens and Murray Melvin. I saw the American production in New York in 1960 with a young Angela Lansbury, Joan Plowright and a very young Billy Dee Williams playing the black sailor. The last time I saw this drama of working class British was at the Royal Theatre, York in the early 90”


“A Taste of Honey” occupies a strange place in British theatrical history. It’s a sympathetic portrayal of a young working class heroine, a gay man and an interracial romance that takes place in mid-century Britain. (It was quite shocking in the early 60’s to mention a biracial baby and to see a character portraying an openly homosexual on stage) Many of the social issues address in the play are no longer taboo although several of the play’s still relevant themes such as child neglect teenage pregnancy, loneliness and bigotry exits today. It became known a “kitchen drama” part of genre revolutionizing British Theatre at the time.


Shelagh Delaney’s stark drama takes place in an industrialized city slum north of London. It’s the story of Jo (Brigette Lundy-Paine), a seventeen year old girl and her alcoholic mother Helen (Michaela Greeley). They go from one slum dwelling to the next because Helen got cannot get her act together. She just has no motherly feeling for the lonely daughter. Jo is in a constant war of words with the mother since she craves love and attention. Helen has a series of “boyfriends” that includes the shady Peter (David Bicha) who does really care for Helen.

Jo meets a spirited black sailor who charms her with his breezy smile and congeniality that she never has experience. But then Jimmy has flown the coop and Jo is alone. She finally meets Geof who gives her the steadiness, warmness and companionship she needs. However Geof is gay.
Laura Lundy-Paine has assembled a great cast to portray the five characters. She also does not hold back in bringing the starkness of the drama to the audience. Bridgette Lundy-Paine brings a real tenderness to the role of Jo. She is totally compelling as a neglected child. Her face expressed a child-like neediness with messed-up despair. Michaela Greeley gives a convincing performance as Helen the dysfunctional parent on a grand scale. You believe her when she says to her daughter “I never thought about you, never ‘ave done when I’m happy”. What these two together I was reminded of another mother/daughter play namely “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” that I saw in the West End in the 90’s.


Daniel Redmond who has worked professionally in the London’s West End and on Broadway gives a splendid performance as the Negro sailor. He is wonderfully gentle and subtle in the small but demanding role. Brian Martin as the gay art student gives a truly astonishing performance. He plays the role less homosexual that the actors I have seen portraying the role. There is no mincing about his acting in this role. (several persons that I talked to after the performance did not realize he was gay). David Bicha is perfect as the sleazy Peter. He plays the role like Joe Pesci who portrayed a psychopathic mobster in the film”Goodfellas”.


Gary Quinn constructed an excellent set using the whole deep stage with a mismatch of thrift store clothing anchored on either side by old suitcases. There are drop cloths created on the ceiling of the proscenium stage. My only problem which is a minor one is that the production did not need the deepness of the stage. I find it would have been better to present the audience closer to the audience since this is an intimate drama. Sound Designer Ryan Lee Short used music evocative of the era and Lara Rempel’s costumes were in line with the lower middle class in midland England in the 60’s.

“A Taste of Honey” plays through February 25th at the Thick House, 1695 18th Street, San Francisco. For tickets 510-865-6237 or on line at www.viragotheatre.org