What a massive disappointment “The Royal Family” has turned out to be. I was once told that ‘expectation’ is a dangerous thing as you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Well, I was disappointed at the Haymarket last night. I felt a wonderful opportunity went to waste. I mean, what on earth was Peter Hall thinking of? He masterly brings together a cast to-die-for, including Judi Dench, Peter Bowles, Julia McKenzie, Harriet Walter, Philip Voss and Toby Stephens and then chooses a play that is basically average at best! What a tragedy!!

Written by George S Kaufman & Edna Ferber, this play is loosely based on the Barrymores, the First Family of American Theatre. It is set in New York in the 20s and concerns a family of unruly actors consisting of the grandmother, daughter, son, granddaughter, uncle and his wife.

Now, please understand, just because I said I was disappointed, does not mean I did not enjoy the show! On the contrary seeing this cast in anything is worth the ticket price. It is just that I thought a better quality play would have made this a masterpiece, which is what I was expecting.

The first act is considerably poor, and provided few laughs for the audience, whom appeared to remain stoical throughout the act. The action laboured and the script rambled on for long periods. There was also irritating arguments and chatter, with all the cast speaking at the same time which was fine on the first couple of occasions but became increasingly irksome with each repetition. However, in the second act the play begins to draw you in and you begin to warm to the characters and care for them. To be fair maybe the author was building a foundation for the characters in the first act so as to be able to explore their foibles in the second and third?

Judi Dench plays the widowed Fanny Cavendish, the grandmother. A formidable lady who believes it is important that the Cavendish acting dynasty continues. Judi Dench is like her character, formidable. But, her massive talent is so under-used and wasted on this character, which is not nearly as central as probably it should have been. Most of the time Dench is reduced to quick fire put me downs or one-line jokes, not at all funny in and of themselves but Dench’s delivery makes them so. In fact, Dench’s performance is exceptional, like it is in everything she does. She is particularly wonderful when pretending to faint when hearing the news that her granddaughter is to quit acting. The graceful way she faints, hamming the part for all the sympathy she can get, is a delight.

The whole company are, as one would expect, wonderful in each of their characters with Peter Bowles as Uncle Herbert, trying to resuscitate his poor acting career, who constantly argues with his wife, Kitty, played hilariously by Julia McKenzie. Harriet Walter, as Fanny’s daughter, Julie, who is beginning to feel she has sacrificed too much to be an actor, gives a solid performance. And Toby Stephens (son of Maggie Smith), is particularly funny as Fanny’s son, Tony, a dashing young man who prefers film work to the stage and is always running away from someone or something. Toby Stephens has again shown what a versatile actor he is. I have seen him many times on the London stage in recent years and he has been impressive on each occasion. There is also a warm performance from Philip Voss, as Oscar, the family’s agent.

The play has received luke-warm notices from the popular press......... NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD describes the play as a "thin theatrical meal - superlite almost." He goes on to describe it as an "elegant resuscitation.....superbly acted production". SHERIDAN MORLEY for TELETEXT says, "The Royal Family has never been a good play, as Noel Coward and his star Olivier noted when they last put it on over here in 1930....... In the end, as in all old-fashioned theatre, sentiment overtakes satire." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "Brisk, entertaining revival". But goes on to say, "The plot could be tenser, the stakes a bit higher. The lines could also be wittier and the comedy funnier.." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, " Like so many other American period piece, the play also often mistakes commotion for comedy and mania for mirth. " PAUL TAYLOR for THE INDEPENDENT says, "Flamboyant all-star revival but the wit is thinly spread." He goes on to say, "The Royal Family is too often a right-royal let-down. " JOHN PETER for THE SUNDAY TIMES loved it saying, "Peter Hall directs a superb piece of ensemble acting: headlong speed is combined with cunningly articulated pace, and the crescendos of the family rows are masterpieces of orchestration."

Without this terrific cast the play would have died, but they do manage to save the show and bring the best out of an average script.

I suggest you see “The Royal Family” but don’t expect a great play. Instead, just go and lie back in your seat and enjoy a cast of exceptional talent.

This review which appeared in the London Theatre Guide on November 2, 2001.

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