Promised Land at the Carriageworks - Review

Alison and I spent an interesting Monday evening at The Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds watching a musical production of The Promised Land by Anthony Clavane. A thought provoking and funny play deftly directed by Rod Dixon and  skilfully portrayed by the Red Ladder cast. The play is set in two time-zones juxtaposed with each other - the turn of the last century and the 1970s in Leeds. Both periods had influxes of immigrants and the play demonstrates how these new people helped to shape the way Leeds is today  Familiar people and places within the city's urban landscape are part of the dialogue that any Leeds born could not fail to recognise - Roundhay Park, Chapeltown, Hepworths Clothing, Kirkgate Market to name but a few
 Excellent stage settings by Kelly Jago transported us backwards in time then brought the audience forward to  the terraces of heyday Elland Road , sharing the highs and lows of both eras interlaced with original music and northern humour.
Through this journey the audience is introduced to many different characters from the sweat shops of old Leeds to the terraces of Leeds United all trying to integrate into a society which they have recently joined. Along the way, Nathan (played by Paul Fox) - from a Jewish family - becomes involved with Caitlin (played by Lynsey Jones) - from an Irish Catholic background, who is a political activist of the kind that were so very prevalent during the 1970s, and a romance begins to blossom with all it's inherent difficulties.
To find out how everything works out for Nathan and Caitlin take advantage of the opportunity to visit The Carriageworks this week to watch this thoroughly thought provoking and often amusing play ably portrayed by the multi-talented cast deftly directed by Rod Dixon with music orchestrated by Beccy Owen and superbly choreographed by Pauline Mayers. The timing by the cast was superb and made this play one to watch. Congratulations and well done to The Red Ladder Company for this production.Running to 30 June 2012
Denis Heaton
Yorkshire Gig Guide

More>