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"The Sugar House" finds Clara, in 1920, as a young actress with
her first repertory company and madly infatuated with older
actor Stephen Tye. She has grown up a lot in the down to earth
theatrical digs, an occupation she found in much the same way
she had decided to be a governess - because someone suggested
she'd be good at it!!
A very compelling description of just what it must have been
like in a 2nd (or even 3rd) rate company touring the midlands
in the early 20s, Clara having lived a privileged though
claustrophobic lifestyle now has to sleep sardine style in trains,
scramble for awful accommodation, hope that the mysterious bites
that keep her awake at night are fleas and not bed bugs as well
as laughing at lewd jokes she doesn't understand and wondering
at Peter and Trevor's very close friendship.
It's clear that Stephen is only interested in the main chance and
that Clara is a pleasant interlude who, unfortunately, reminds
Stephen of his lost youth etc. His actions propel Clara back into
the arms of Archie. "The Lost Traveller" ended with Clara
leaving Archie at the alter but a few years have past and Archie
now has serious emotional problems - he's a very heavy drinker
whose life revolves around opening times!! Marrying Archie is a
disastrous mistake but foolish Clara lives for the times when at
tea with her parents, she now believes she has her father's
unconditional love. Once again her mother, who in modern times
comes across as such a sympathetic character, just can't break
the stronghold set up by Claude and Clara.
Maidie hits the nail on the head by saying that she feels "Starchy"
(her nickname for Archie) has never really lived life - and four
months after the wedding Clara's hysterical behaviour when an
amorous painter tries to seduce her has him putting two and two
together!! In an effort to please everyone around her Clara has
wrecked her life - being a Catholic, divorce seems out of the
question although Marcus (the painter) cautions as long as she
doesn't take a lover an annulment should be no trouble - even if
it takes years!! One of my favourite parts happens at the end.
Archie who by following Clara around falls into acting as well but
unlike Clara is a huge success. Clara is now looking at unemployment
while Archie has scored a featured part in the new musical "Sally"
- he sings her his part from "The Church 'Round the Corner", cueing
while Maidie sings her part, it seems so obvious from that little
scene that the author has definitely been around theatre people.
"The Sugar House" is the name for the almost impracticable doll's
house that Clara falls in love with. They are right royally conned
by their shifty landlords and even forced to employ a char who
charges them the earth and doesn't even bother to come on the
appointed days. Clara is right - they are like Hansel and Gretel
living in a sugar house and their non existent coping skills with
finances bring down the transparent walls.