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Review by Paul Nelson |
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REFRESHINGLY short for a writer known for his long-winded prefaces and plays
steeped in messages and deep angst, Mrs Warren's Profession is a stunning
success.
I never thought I would be able to write that. The Peter Hall Company has
provided some grim evenings this year, notably The
Royal Family and Lady Windermere's
Fan, both pandering to a star name syndrome rather than to a downright
attack on the plays at a work level.
The Royal Family had Judi Dench and Toby Stephens salvaging the evening
and Lady Windermere's Fan was similarly saved from utter boredom by
Googie Withers and John McCallum. In the current offering we have Brenda Blethyn
as Mrs Warren, heading a cast of truly hard-working thespians.
Blethyn got where she is not by being a relative of somebody, nor I suspect
by other Laddie or Luvvie means, but like the rest of this well-chosen cast,
by hard grind. The exceptions are the two juveniles who are both making their
West End debuts.
The result is an evening of absolute sincerity coupled with the expertise
you would expect in the heart of London. You are given an attractive setting
and costumes, superb lighting, and a return by Peter Hall to the trenches
that earned him his knighthood.
Of Brenda Blethyn there is little to say but praise. Her performance of a
lowborn but now acceptable lady in a certain strata of society is impeccable.
Her lapses, when she is moved emotionally, into her East End vernacular, are
as exciting as they are unexpected.
As her business partner Sir George Crofts (by now the world must know the
plot of this play, but for the benefit of those who do not, she is a madam,
owner of a chain of European brothels), Richard Johnson is superb. So good
that one feels a shudder, knowing what one knows about him, when he seriously
imagines for a moment or three that he could be a suitable partner to Vivie,
Mrs Warren's daughter.
There is a delightfully observed performance by Peter Blythe as Mr Praed,
an artistic architect, one wonders what on earth his buildings would look
like, and a gem from James Saxon as an almost caricature Rev Samuel Gardner.
It isn't a caricature however, he has deeper tendrils creeping around in his
insides.
Which brings us to the juves, both naturally new to me and to the West End.
Laurence Fox brings a freshness to the silly ass suitor to Vivie. His attentions
almost bring tears to the eyes so sincere are they. It is a fine performance
of a part that I have previously always seen thrown aside.
The surprise of the evening is a beautifully crafted performance of Vivie
by Rebecca Hall. Not for this heroine the pompous prig, the scolding, or reproachful
righteous daughter. Rather she brings to the role what Mrs Warren saw in her
sister, once a partner, now a respectable woman in a cathedral town (Winchester).
She has a startling assurance and composure and the performance is most notable.
Harking back to what I have written in an earlier paragraph to this article,
I have to shamefacedly admit she is Peter Hall's daughter. Watching her flawless
characterisation, I have to say I don't care; I'll eat crow if not my words.
The play is old fashioned, and consequently can be tiresome in that you are
aware almost by telepathy what is going to happen. When, though, you have
this possible chestnut, a play almost impossible to believe was ever banned,
so superbly performed, you have to raise a cheer.
I do so, unashamedly.
Mrs Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw. Directed by Peter Hall,
Designed by John Gunter, Lighting by Hartley T A Kemp. WITH: Peter Blythe
(Mr Praed), Rebecca Hall (Vivie Warren), Brenda Blethyn (Mrs Warren), Richard
Johnson (Sir George Crofts), Laurence Fox (Frank Gardner), James Saxon (The
Rev. Samuel Gardner) and Carole Dance, Jack Huston, Frank Jarvis, Kirsty Yates.
Theatre Royal Haymarket Productions and Stanhope Productions in association
with Theatre Royal Bath Productions present The Peter Hall Company at The
Strand Theatre, Aldwych, London WC2. Box Office 0870 901 3356.
