First
seen in the West End in 1925 and last performed in
1967, this revival of Noel Coward's Fallen Angels,
directed by Michael Rudman, is a witty show with a
fantastic cast. Felicity Kendall and Frances de la
Tour are a great double act that transforms this
average comedy into something very special.
The story concerns Julia and Jane, two life long best
friends, who have both been stuck in a passionless
marriage for many years. However, things are liable to
change when they learn that Maurice, a French man they
both had an affair with many years ago, is coming to
London. They are now torn between their passion for
Maurice and what he represents, and the stability that
their married life offers. To complicate matters, both
women suspects that the other is scheming to meet
Maurice in secret. However, with the arrival of
Maurice, and the unexpected return home of their
husbands, matters become even more frantic.
The start of the play is a little low key, but with
the arrival of Francis de la Tour on stage as 'Jane',
the comedy tempo raises, but not much. It is in the
second act, when they are both awaiting the arrival of
Maurice, that the comedy begins to soar as both Jane
and Julia get drunk, and whip themselves into a frenzy
with the anticipation of love and passion returning
into their lives in the form of Maurice.
This is one of those comedies that depend on your
comedy taste. This is because the play features actors
who play drunk, panic-stricken stupid people that do
daft things. To some, this may be irritating and
childish, to others it will be hilarious. I found the
play witty and pleasant, but this is not so much
because of Coward's script, which could have been
funnier, but mainly because of a brilliant cast that
performed with exceptional comic timing. Frances de la
Tour is particularly outstanding, and so too is
Felicity Kendall. The scene where they are both drunk,
is one of the funniest I have seen in the West End in
a long time. There is also a great performance from
Tilly Tremayne as 'Saunders', the new stern
housekeeper who knows everything, and has done
everything. Don't be surprised to see her nominated
for an Olivier Award for 'Best Supporting Actress'!
The show has received great reviews from the popular
press…..NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD
says of Kendall and de la Tour, "Their comedy duet
delights" and goes on to say "Coward's Angels
scale modern, sexy heights." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for
THE TIMES says, "It's hard to believe this is the
first time Kendal and de la Tour have acted together.
Their effortless rapport is a delight." CHARLES
SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "This, I
suspect, is one of those great comic productions that
linger in the memory for years and find you smiling in
the middle of the night with recollected pleasure."
MICHAEL BILINGTON for THE GUARDIAN was more impressed
with Tilly Tremayne's performance than the main stars
saying, "Good as they are, the stars are overshadowed
by Tilly Tremayne, as the sharp-featured maid who
knows about everything from golf to tropical
medicine." MICHAEL COVENEY for THE DAILY MAIL also
loved he show saying, "For sheer frothy delight, and
comedy playing at its best, there is nothing on the
London stage to touch this superb revival.." SHERIDAN
MORLEY for TELETEXT says, " On Paul Farnsworth's
hugely elegant set this is a joyous revival of a play
that has been away for too long."
Lasting two hours, this is not a great comedy, but it
certainly has some memorable moments, and is
definitely worth seeing for those three female
performances alone!