‘Garside’s Career’ Highlights a Big Talker

Garside’s Career – A Review

The Mint Theater Company is presenting the New York Premiere of Garside’s Career. Written by Harold Brighouse, the play has a limited engagement run at Theater Row through March 15.

Matt Dickson directs a splendid cast in a show that scores high marks for the acting and overall production. Written in the earlier part of the 1900’s, the play had an extended run in Boston in 1919. Shortly after, a New York production was announced, but never happened. Even in the U.K. this political satire seems to have completely disappeared.

But as the Mint Theater Company does so well, it identifies a play whose theme rings true today. As stated by the Company’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Bank,

One of the reasons I was drawn to producing older plays in the first place is they can show how today’s ‘alarming issues’ have usually been around for ages.  Working on them (or seeing them) helps put things in perspective.

Although Garside’s Career was written 110 years ago, the characters, story, and theme are remarkably visible today. The main character, Peter Garside ascends the society and class structure very rapidly. He does it with the substantial well earned university degree in engineering. But his secret weapon is his ability to do public speaking and have an impact on his audiences. He sees himself as a man on the rise due to his oratory skills. They later become part of his downfall.

The Story of a Man Aiming for Success

The play opens in the Midlanton cottage of Mrs. Garside (Amelia White) and her son Peter (Daniel Marconi). There is an air of anticipation as Mrs. Garside and Margaret Shawcross (Madeline Seidman) wait for Peter to bring news about a recent exam he took. Mrs. Garside is very enthusiastic about her son’s chances of success with this exam; Margaret not as much.

These two attitudes become important to the plot of the show because Margaret provides a very needed balance in Peter’s life. Mom keeps him well supplied with compliments and Margaret brings him back to real life.

The news they are waiting to hear is good. Peter arrives to tell the ladies that he is now an honors man of Midlanton University. As they celebrate, mom lets Peter know that Margaret doubted his abilities to pass but she never did. Such a good soul to pass that information along!

The Celebration Continues as More People Arrive

Good news gets to travel quickly as a group of men from a labor group arrive. The group includes Denis O’Callaghan (Erik Gratton), Karl Marx Jones (Michael Schantz), and Ned Applegarth (Paul Niebanck). They celebrate Peter’s success and ask him to run for Parliament to represent their Party.

The men stress that Peter has a grand specking ability which is important to getting out with the public. And that speaking ability is already something that Margaret is concerned about as she previously urged Peter to do more writing rather than speaking.

However, Peter feels confident about his “silver tongue” which brings with it an insatiable fascination with his power to persuade: “You don’t know the glorious sensation of holding a crowd in the hollow of your hand, mastering it, doing what you like with it.” Margaret summarizes her concern “The itch to speak is like the itch to drink, except that it’s cheaper to talk yourself.”

As Peter wins his seat he moves to London. His ability to provide powerful orations is still a driving force inside of him.

London Brings New Opportunities and New Challenges

Arriving in London, Peter meets the Mottram family including somewhat flirtatious Gladys (Sara Hader), Freddie (Avery Whitted) and Lady Mottram (Melissa Maxwell). He makes visits out frequently earning money for his speeches. And this sits well with this new crowd in London.

The sets here are more lavish and Peter’s quarters are also more elaborate than his home area. When his mother arrives, the differences of class and status are on display. Peter’s preference for a higher life cause him to go out on these more frequent speaking engagements. Is it the money he makes or the thrill of igniting the crowd? Perhaps both.

It backfires on him when he is confronted by the group who backed his run for the Parliament seat. His lack of attendance in Parliament due to these speaking engagements does not sit well. He resigns his seat and returns home and back to Margaret.

Mint Theater Company’s Superb Production Brings the Story Home

The design and execution of the production of this play by Mint Theater Company adds much to the story. Their sets, acting, and even the way they move the scenery allow audience members to see the plot unfolding very carefully.

Several songs are used to emphasize what is happening. One very strong one is a song about Solidarity which the group who is backing Peter sings with great vigor.

Casting for this play brings together a strong ensemble of actors. Leading is Daniel Marconi who provides a very convincing depiction of Peter Garside, a man who wants it all and loves to ignite a crowd. Amelia White’s portrayal of Mrs. Garside provides many amusing moments throughout the play. Madeline Seidman plays Margaret Shawcross as a sensible and level headed individual throughout the entire play. She gives that stability that Peter needs.

Go to See Garside’s Career

If you are a theater lover who enjoys well produced and well acted plays, then make it a point to attend a performance of Garside’s Career. The play runs until March 15, 2025.

Tickets may be purchased online at minttheater.org, by phone by calling 212/714-2442, ext. 45 (Tuesday – Sunday from 12 noon to 5PM), or in person at Theatre Row Box Office (located at 410 West 42nd Street). Service fees will apply for online or phone orders.

Performances will be Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 7pm with matinees Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm. Added performances Wednesday evenings 2/19 & 3/12 at 7pm and Thursday matinee 3/13 at 2pm. No performance on 2/21; no evening performance on 3/15.

Theatre Row, is located at 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues),

For more information, visit the Mint Theater Company website.