“” First and foremost - forget the title - this is not the latest ‘tabloid’ exposé of our Monarchy !

This is George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber’s delicious comedy of what 1920’s America perceived as a ‘Royal Family’.

Since their Declaration of Independence in 1776 - the American people have searched high and low for “monarchy” (please note the small “m” !). Most of their choices in the early years were Presidents.... the names Washington, Lincoln and Adams immediately spring to mind.

Fast-forward to the 1920’s and suddenly we are in the era of Broadway Dynasties - again a set of people elevated to pedestals and adored as icons - more was to come ..... the silver screen was without a voice, but not for long .... then it was the movie stars turn to be worshipped ! However behind the scenes was always trauma, turbulence, trials and tribulation.

Kaufman & Ferber, in their 1927 collaboration “The Royal Family”, were to give us a “sneak preview” (so-to-speak) into the lives of Broadway’s (and later Hollywood’s) biggest dynasties - The Barrymore’s. This is also immaterial to anyone younger than 60 or those persons addicted to black and white movies of the period .... and quite rightly so!!!!!

What Director PETER HALL has so deftly done, is to take this witty and clever comedy of the 20’s and drag it kicking and screaming its’ way into this century!

This nightmarish “Theatrical” family is thrown at us ... every nuance of the (sometimes acid) script brilliantly portrayed by a cast to die for !

Judi Dench, as ‘Fanny’ the matriarch of the ‘Cavendish’ family, desperate to make a comeback by going on Tour, whilst facing advancing senility, is utterly superb! But then a woman who won an Oscar for some 5 minute’s screen-time in “Shakespeare in Love”, and who is at home playing Lady Macbeth as easily as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret”, has served her time and in this reviewer’s humble opinion is “The Queen” of British Theatre.

It must also be said, with Hall’s taught direction “The Royal Family” becomes an ensemble piece. Harriet Walter, who plays her daughter, Julie Cavendish, the then ‘darling’ of Broadway is equally entertaining and, at times, shows why her mother, Fanny, was raised to her pedestal, she is simply following in Mother’s footsteps!. Add to this the grand-daughter Gwen, an “up and coming” star (played with panache by Emily Blunt), and you can see why Kaufman & Faber chose the title !

Into this maelstrom, whirls Julia McKenzie - a treat to see her back on-stage! - playing Kitty Dean, desperate to climb onto the Cavendish ‘band-wagon’ - even to the extent of playing in ‘Vaudeville’! She is the perfect foil for Peter Bowles as Herbert Dean (Fanny’s Brother) - the ageing Juvenile who’s plays always flop! These two are a ‘double-act’ in their own right.

We also have to contend with the delectable Toby Stephens - making his name ‘swashbuckling’ in the silent movies and always in trouble with his many female admirers from whom he is constantly in flight!

A gem of a performance from Philip Voss (as Oscar Wolfe), the long-suffering Manager of the Cavendish dynasty - his character never slips for one instant ... perfectly timed, wonderful mannerisms and a joy to watch.

I refuse to reveal the plot, since it is so convoluted and bizarre, with all these wonderful, wonderful “show-biz” types ‘behaving badly’ - it would spoil your enjoyment of this play, which is both witty and alarming.

It does seem weird that we expect our own “Monarchy” to behave any differently, when we have, over the years reduced them to ‘icons’.

Maybe this is why this play succeeds so well - it is actually almost a mirror-image of what happens when we “create false idols” - maybe Moses had the right idea !

This is a stylish production of a ‘classic’ play, sumptuously designed by Anthony Ward with a set and costumes worthy of any ‘Royal Family’.

It is also the perfect antidote to these troubled times in which we are living. With productions closing prematurely both in this Country and the United States of America - this is the one play which puts things into perspective.

I wish I could say (in echo of my ‘headline’) - “LONG TO REIGN OVER US” - but alas it is playing for a LIMITED SEASON - I would therefore urge, nay beg you to besiege, if necessary, The Theatre Royal, Haymarket’s Box Office for tickets!

Thanks to Kevin McHugh for sending this review which appeared in the Theatreworld Internet Magazine.

Return