Review: THE OLD LADIES at Finborough Theatre

First performed between the wars — in April 1935 to be precise — this revival marks the play’s first outing on a London stage in 30 years and was based on the novel of the same name written by Sir Hugh Walpole as a much needed distraction in 1924 whilst he dutifully visited his parents in Switzerland.

The punctilious pleasantries and politesse between ladies of a certain age, are upended when a new arrival at a respectable rooming house brings with her a stone which is somehow imbued with the heart of a dear friend. The amulet, talisman or phylactery (take your pick) is a large and valuable piece of amber which May Beringer (Catherine Cusack) clings to as though her life depends on it. Her resident neighbour Lucy Amorest (Julia Watson) is a kindly and welcoming gentlewoman who pines the absence of her son who has gone abroad to make his fortune. She has also received a vague promise of £1,000 per year on the death of a wealthy relative. Finally, into the courteous blend is poured the sour, nosey and altogether belligerent character of Agatha Payne (Abigail Thaw) who is instantly covetous of the amber stone and delivers unpleasant observations and comments with impunity. As calm and solicitousness give way to spite, intimidation and thinly veiled threats of physical violence, matters reach a catastrophic boiling point.

Set in the fictitious cathedral town of Polchester, the characters of May and Lucy are delivered in a suitably spinsterish manner in director Brigid Larmour’s production, which plays-out on a fusty and twee set of heavy drapes and fine China tea services by Juliette Demoulin. As the catalyst for unpleasantness however, Ms Thaw oft seen broodingly catatonic in a rocking chair, seems slightly miscast and too young to play the sinister and crotchety battle-axe who intimidates with her card readings and devotes any love she may have in her cold heart to a doll which stares vacantly into the distance from a ledge. In the final moments, I yearned for her to succumb to a supernatural comeuppance which would leap unexpectedly from behind those heavy curtains.

THE OLD LADIES continues at The Finborough, Earl’s Court, until 19th April and runs for 100 minutes without interval.