THEATRE
London Assurance by Dion Boucicault adapted by Richard Bean, National Theatre at Home
At National Theatre at Home online by subscription https://www.ntathome.com
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****1/2
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This review is published only on this blog. I’ll
present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 23 March 2024. KH
Fiona Shaw, Paul Ready, Simon Russelll Beale, Michelle Terry, image supplied online
London Assurance is a rollicking, sure-fire comic hit that is running on National Theatre at Home. It’s the 2010 stage production of Richard Bean’s superbly updated and wacky version of Dion Boucicault’s rather ordinary 19th century play which Bean transforms into a comic masterpiece. Most of the best lines are Bean’s or the cast’s own ad libs and Nicholas Hytner’s deft and decorative direction heightens the absurdity.
It boasts a magnificent cast, with Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw being the alarming and remarkable highlights in this broad farce that is riddled with disguises, mistaken identities, absurd love affairs, much confusion and running in and out of doors.
Beale is hilariously high camp and foppish as Sir Harcourt Courtly as he paces, primps and poses around the stage in a decidedly flamboyant and omnisexual style. My favourite line of his is, “ My wife ran off with my best friend,” followed wistfully by, “and I miss him.”
The 57-year-old Sir Harcourt goes to the country home of his friend, Max Harkaway (Mark Addy), whose 20-year-old daughter has arranged to marry. Sir Harcourt’s deceptive and dissolute son, Charles (Paul Ready) arrives with his new dodgy friend, Dazzle (Matt Cross), at the same country house and of course falls madly in love with said daughter. His father recognises him as his son. So of course, Charles, claims mistaken identity and must return as the bookish, timid and chaste-minded version of himself that his deluded father knows and loves.
The next highlight is Fiona Shaw, as Lady Gay Spencer, who Shaw plays as a horsey, galloping, goofy country lady who, true to her name, thinks everything is hilariously gay, including pretending to seduce old Sir Harcourt at the behest of his son.
This production at two hours, gallops along and it’s just one unbelievable, idiotic episode after another in a farce for the ages.
by Kate Herbert
CAST
Cool: Nick Sampson
Martin: Richard Frame
Charles Courtly: Paul Ready
Richard Dazzle: Matt Cross
Sir Harcourt Courtly: Simon Russell Beale
Squire Max Harkaway: Mark Addy
Pert: Maggie Service
James: Simon Markey
Grace Harkaway: Michelle Terry
Mark Meddle: Tony Jayawardena
Lady Gay Spanker: Fiona Shaw
Mr Adolphus Spanker: Richard Briers
Mr Solomon Isaacs: Junix Inocian
Doctor: David Whitworth
Servant: Mark Extance
Servant: Prasanna Puwanarajah
Doctor's daughter: Fiona Drummond
Doctor's daughter: Laura Matthews
Music Director /Accordion: Ian Watson
Fiddle: Sophie Solomon
Double Bass / Tuba: David Berr
CREATIVES Director: Nicholas Hytner
Designer: Mark Thompson
Music: Rachel Portman
Sound Designer: John Leonard
Lighting Designer: Neil Austin
Textual Revisions: Richard Bean
Choreographer: Scarlett Mackmin
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