An absolutely outstanding performance by the Shooting Stars Theatre Company on the Tea Lawn at the scenic Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park.
There are only four characters in this intimate 1930s comedy – a divorced couple, Elyot and Amanda, who while honeymooning with their new spouses, Sybil and Victor, discover they are staying in adjacent rooms in the same hotel. And despite their previous tempestuous relationship the pair come to the realisation that they’re still in love with one another. They elope, leaving their new partners behind.
All four are brilliant in their own ways: you have dapper, hilariously despicable Elyot; stunning and sophisticated Amanda who knows exactly how to push his buttons; insecure, wailing Sybil who runs around after Elyot; and poor, boring old Victor whose impeccable manners are tested throughout.
They come together beautifully, each personality jolting off the other, and if you pay enough attention you’ll notice the odd touches of modern life creep into the performance without taking anything away from the original work.
The set is quaint, the musical accompaniment fantastic, the acting is superb and the icing on the cake is enjoying the show with a prosecco picnic outside on the ground’s Tea Lawn.
This is an elegant performance and a true celebration of Noel Coward’s work which should not be missed.
Catch it if you can, shows are still on this month at Lauderdale House tonight (20th) 22nd, 25th, 26th and 29th.
Review by Sunita jaswal