It has been three years since Judi Dench was last in the West End. I would wish that The Royal Family had not been the occasion of her return. 'It's a very, very creaky play,' said an American lady in the first interval. Creaky or not, it still has the ability to charm if it is played with style and pace.
Miss Dench has said that she normally shies away from anything with an American accent. If the preview we saw is anything to go by, she should continue to shy away from it, as should Peter Bowles and Harriet Walter, among others. Here we have some splendid actors rendered less than competent by dint of an accent. The programme notes fail to mention a dialogue coach but one was sorely needed.
If this had been all, we might not have been so disappointed but the pace was sluggardly and it was as if we were privy to the first full run-through a week, perhaps, after coming off the book. I have seen better in weekly rep. Had they only just been given their props? One would think so from the way they were handled.
Loosely based on the acting Barrymore dynasty, the character of Fanny Cavendish, like that of Lorraine Barry in Star Quality (see Reviews for Penelope Keith's performance), is the grande dame of the family. But one of our greatest actresses seemed neither at home on the stage nor gave any impression of wanting to be there.
I counted a dozen or so fluffs during the first, heavily laboured twenty minutes and most of the actors gave every speech the same note with little thought or meaning. It was merely a cacophony of noise with some uncomfortable pauses between times. This evidence suggests that Peter Hall, for whom I have the greatest respect, is not at home directing a 1920s American comedy.
Three actors stand out from the crowd: Robert Petkoff, Emily Blunt and Philip Voss. Petkoff, an American, seemed eminently at ease with the style, (the accent!) and the comedy. Miss Blunt is making only her second professional appearance: she has an engaging personality and if she can learn to be more comfortable in her own body, she is someone to watch. Philip Voss, an experienced performer, brought just the right amount of excess to the part of Oscar Wolfe, the business manager.
Perhaps it was me but my companions were similarly unimpressed.
Reader, we left after the first act - somewhat saddened. Sarah Vernon © 31.10.01
This review appeared at the Rogues and Vagabonds web site on October 31, 2001.Return