Review: HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at The Old Vic

That HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES feels so dated and of its time, is perhaps precisely why it also manages to retain the winning charm which captivated audiences some 57 years ago. Here directed in the round by Phillip Breen, there is a certain marvellousness in the actorish requirement to deliver lines with superb timing without ever visibly relishing them. To do so would break the spell of stilted awkwardness and pain felt by those characters caught in a tangled web of deceit largely borne of frustrated domesticity and a yearning to break the monotony of married bliss!

Heading the cast as Frank Foster the Company Manager who misinterprets and misconstrues the tidbits thrown his way, Roger Allam delivers a masterclass in comedy timing (albeit there were a few dangerously ponderous moments on press night during the delivery of this notoriously conversational word salad of trivialities and trip hazards). As Fiona, his long suffering wife who may have sought extra curricular distractions elsewhere, Dorothy Atkinson epitomises the frustrated woman caught in a trap of her own making.

For anyone lazily wishing to dismiss the piece as a relic of 1970s societal ills, there are multitudinous examples of misogyny and double standards onto which one can easily latch, but such criticism rather misses the point — and certainly misunderstands the skills necessary to land line after line of situational comedy which requires pinpoint accuracy and emphasis. To achieve the feat with an ease and ordinariness which belies the effort, demonstrates both the skill and wit of both the writer and the players assembled to deliver his lines. It therefore compares favourably with other recent revivals of Abigail’s Party and Entertaining Mr Sloane.

Performed in the round on an unforgiving set by Rob Howell there is literally nowhere to hide as an unfortunate couple William Featherstone from accounts (Adam Gillen) and his mousy and largely innocent wife Mary (Laura Elsworthy) attend back-to-back dinner parties which are played-out simultaneously, moment for toe-curling moment. The theatrical device requires place settings for six, but as voyeurs of this cringeworthy scene, audience members are very much in the same room and privy to each and every wince-inducing outburst and flurry of exchanges.

The cast is completed by stay at home mother Teresa Phillips (Ayesha Antoine) and her Jack-the-lad office lothario husband Bob (Rowan Polonski), who may have wanted just a tad too much danger in his life by getting involved with his boss’ bored wife. Tangled webs indeed and every one of them chortle-worthy.

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES plays 2 hours and 40 minutes including interval, and continues at The Old Vic until 19th September.

How The Other Half Loves Tickets