An interesting and very entertaining afternoon spent in the company of Lord and Lady Right, their daughter and staff, as they attempt to raise funding to help save their ageing residence, Crawley Hall.
When you first arrive at the venue you are greeted by an extremely grand entrance by the main staircase. Once upstairs people mingle and are roughly guided to the required areas. However, it needs to be tightened up and more information on arrival needs to be available.
The chosen venue and room for the immersive theatre is befitting of the assumed status of the family. Are you in 1922 or 2019, you decide! The option is fluid and not even the family can agree on this matter either.
The afternoon tea served to accompany the immersive theatre experience lacks quality in certain areas. The food is very nice and the mini Victoria sponges were delicious. However, it does advertise on the table menu a selection of teas on offer and there is only one served, which needs to be a lot stronger as it was fairly tasteless.
The cast of Butlers, Lord and Lady Right and their daughter Ginny/Jimmy all played their respective roles brilliantly. Each one has been well cast. Lady Right would have been more at home at a "gin party" than tea party and the actresses portrayal of a drunk was extremely convincing.
The high level of banter, family jokes and well-placed humour raises laughs from the tea drinking guests. The out of touch comments from Lord and Lady Right can be cringe-worthy at times.
At ticket prices from £69.95, I feel they might be too highly priced for a set afternoon tea where you have a city of high-quality afternoon teas on offer.
The ultimate surprise comes at the end when you are treated to a mystery singer. Does the "Dry sands woman" actually make an appearance?
It runs every Sunday afternoon from 2:30pm until 5pm throughout the Summer.
Review: Elaine Chapman