REBECCA, that most atmospheric of novels, is brought to the Lowry by Kneehigh Theatre.

The shadow of the late Rebecca looms over Maxim de Winter’s second wife, played sensitively by Imogen Sage.   Sage’s character is seared with the red hot emotion of jealousy, a new feeling for this naïve, sweet woman.    She also feels awkward in Maxim’s huge home, Mandalay, and finds the servants intimidating.

 

Her tormentor is Emily Raymond’s housekeeper Mrs Danvers, a scheming woman, devoted to Rebecca, who plays one particularly nasty trick on the new wife.

 

Tristan Sturrock’s Maxim de Winter is played with preoccupied authority.  He is the archetypical strong, silent type - until the final scene.

 

Director, Emma Rice introduces less familiar, lighter characters to her production. They include Maxim’s sister Beatrice and her husband, Giles, party animals played amusingly by Lizzie Winkler and Andy Williams .  

 

Katy Owen stands out as the butler’s boy, Robert who loves answering the telephone.

 

A new innovation is making the butler, footmen and maids perform Cornish songs, and dances.   They also assist imperceptibly with props and scenery and even work the strings on the family dog!

 

Award winning Leslie Travers’ design is admirable as he combines the mansion with the scene of Rebecca’s watery grave.

 

 Eventually, after layers of dark drama which build up passionately towards the conclusion, there is a happy ending of sorts.

 

*  Until April 11.   For tickets telephone 0843 208 6000 or book online at thelowry.com.  Star rating:  * * * *