Theatre Royal Windsor – until Sat 6th June 2026
Reviewed by Andrew and Kate Lawrence
5*****
“An exceptional romantic comedy by Noel Coward”
We had the absolute delight of watching “The Marquise” at the Theatre Royal Windsor, a play originally written by Noel Coward almost 100 years ago and now updated and directed by Philip Wilson.
The play is a romantic comedy set entirely in the living room of the country mansion of Raoul de Vriaac (played by Simon Shepherd) and his daughter Adrienne (played by Eva O’Hara).
In the opening scene, Raoul and his long time friend Esteban (played by Tristan Gemmill) have arranged the betrothal of Adrienne with Esteban’s son Miguel (played by Barnaby Tobias). They are joined by Raoul’s live-in priest Father Clement (played by Martin Carroll), Raoul’s secretary Jacques (played by Albie Marber) and Raoul’s servant Hubert (played by Lee Peck).
What transpires, is a classic romance story of a young couple betrothed in marriage who unfortunately do not love each other, and as is always the case in such stories, their true loves do not fit the socially acceptable norms of the time. Inter-twined into this classic story, are comedy twists and turns that only Noel Coward could have invented.
Which brings me to the focal character, “The Marquise”, Eloise de Kestournel (played by Juliet Aubrey), whose arrival at the house later that evening, for not the first time, turns everybody’s world upside down. Juliet is certainly the star of this show and mandates the centre of attention throughout, and deservingly so.
She portrays the flamboyant but frivolous lady of society, flaunting herself across the many pieces of available living room furniture and landing perfectly timed comedy bombs throughout her performance. She is both the romance and the comedy rolled into one.
Eloise, (the Marquise) unpicks the characters one by one, revealing uncomfortable truths and sometimes shocking revelations, but delivering a lot of laughs along the way.
It’s a very funny and unique story, a wonderful cast, and an exceptional Marquise. A mention must also go to the beautiful and atmospheric music played on a piano throughout the play.
This is a must-see play, it closes in Windsor on Sat 6th June, do not miss it.