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Heavenly wit from the master Fallen
Angels Malvern
Theatres ****
The distinctive, wonderful wit of Noel Coward seeps through every pore
of this joyous comedy. And when
your leading ladies are Jenny Seagrove and Sara Crowe, you know the
British playwright's work is in safe hands. Fallen Angels, first performed
in 1925, is the Sex and the City of its day. The girlie comedy
that broke taboos and was for and about headstrong women. In this case, it is best
friends Julia and Jane, who yearn for the passion of a former French
lover to offset their dull marriages. When news arrives that their
Monsieur Maurice will be in town while their husbands are away, they are
sent into a whirl of excitement, anticipation and acerbic one-liners
that lead to a frothy, fun and chaotic night. But while they wait for his
entrance, the pair get more drunk and more ridiculous, which always
makes good viewing. The humour in this play is
as fresh (and perhaps even fresher) as any contemporary sitcom, while
the elegance of the 1920s fashions and furniture make it a particularly
stylish two hours. Both Seagrove and Crowe are
actresses of great standing and are believable silly and inebriated at
various points, which is no mean feat. Whether it's Seagrove rolling
head over heels over the sofa or softly belching from too much
champagne, it all feels realistic as well as endearing. But it's another female member
of the cast that ends up stealing the show in the form of know-it-all
maid Saunders, played by a wonderfully deadpan Gillian McCafferty.
Coward has blessed this character with the funniest lines. This touring production is
Fallen Angels' first revival in over a decade by producer Bill Kenwright
after he previously staged the comedy in London's West End with Felicity
Kendal and Frances de la Tour. And it's good to see this
charming play make a return, so catch it while you can. To 07-09-13. Alison
Brinkworth
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