Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 9th May 2026
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
I knew the name Somerset Maugham but had never seen on of his plays. So it was with much anticipation that I caught tonight’s theatre piece.
The story revolves around a wife trying to ignore her husband’s affair (of the last year). Most everyone else seemed to know, but she was determined to keep the upper lip stiff. When circumstances transpired against her continuing this pretense, she has to finally confront the assembled personages and concoct a way to move on…
A surprising “false” start piqued the interest immediately – but more of that piano playing later! Anna Fleischle was responsible for designing the opulent set and was co-costume designer (alongside Cat Fuller) and both deserve a pat on the back for some gorgeous staging.
Three strong leading ladies propelled the story forward; Kara Tointon, playing Constance Middleton (around whom the tale was woven), displayed a commendably restrained performance that was nevertheless full of passion – saving her emotional outbursts for maximum effect. Her sister Martha Culver (Amy Vicary-Smith) was the character i had most empathy with as she was the most normal (by today’s standards). Thoroughly modern, she was determined to put the world (and her sister’s marriage) to rights. Her recap was the funniest part of the play (joint first with the butler). And mother Mrs Culver (Sara Crowe) was hilarious and truly wacky in her ideas and moral code. Pragmatic might be a kinder, more measured, assessment. Marie-louise Durham (Gloria Onitiri), a trifling concoction who was so full of herself she was loathsome in her selfishness, rounded out the brilliantly played ladies.
The men (Jules Brown (Mortimer Durham, the other husband), Tim Delap (John Middleton the lothario fiend) and Alex Mugnaioni (Bernard Kersal the foppish puppy dog still in love with someone else’s wife)) were the men; all testosterone fueled bravura and horns clashing. Poor things! All masterfully brought to life but I ended up feeling rather sorry for them. This is definitely a “girl power” story – the men, to my mind don’t fare too well.
Butler Bentley (Philip Rham) was the standout character. A truly excellent performance with some wickedly humorous reactions and sideways glances. And on stage piano playing of some rare beauty! What is that tune (could it be by composer Jamie Cullum, I wonder)?
It is a funny play, most of the laughs coming from the outrageous attitudes of the well to do and the times! Plus the extremely clever writing alluding to the titular play which Constance never does get to see! Most amusing. I’ve not read the original but this is certainly a witty script by Laura Wade (based, obviously, on Maughan’s work). And it all concludes in satisfying style with some just deserts very much in keeping with the conscience and standing of the characters – though, beware the tennis pro’s out there!
All in all it’s a fun night out that delivers something for everyone. It certainly gave me a lot of pleasure, some head shaking (at that peculiar moralizing) and cause to pause for thought. Well deserving of top marks from all concerned!