BWW Reviews: THE BELLE'S STRATEGEM, Southwark Playhouse, September 12 2011

Of course, there's a man in drag; of course, there are ludicrously unlikely cases of mistaken identity; and of course, there's the wise older woman wisecraking wisdom, but who cares if everything looks ever so slightly familiar - it's great fun! And from a source more obscure than it deserves to be. The Belle's Strategem was first performed 231 years ago and last performed in Britain all of 123 years back, so where it's been hiding is anyone's guess, because, under the direction of Jessica Swale, the stage is crackles with the kind of wit one would expect to see on prime-time television, if anyone on prime-time television had any wit. (Think of a Georgian Geordie Shore, but funny and clever and with only some of the characters obnoxious).

Dorincourt returns from his European Grand Tour convinced of the superiority of all things continental, especially in the matter of servants (French) and women (Italian or French). On meeting his betrothed, Letitia, he concedes her beauty, but is left cold by her lack of spirit - she, a little unaccountably, is smitten with him and vows to win not just his hand, but his love. Her method is to turn indifference to hatred, before spinning him a full 180 degrees with her true, sparkling personality. And what larks we have along the way! The men are silly and frivolous - gossiping and boozing, philandering and fleeing, bribing and blackmailing; but the women are clever and triumphant - partying and flirting, shopping and scheming, deceiving and dancing. All this girl power was a bit much for the 18th century's movers and shakers, with the play's popularity not saving it from an early withdrawal from Drury Lane. However, their loss is our gain because, as some splendid accapella versions of Spice Girls and Girls Aloud standards remind us, this girl, no, woman power is very 21st century indeed. (The beautifully produced programme is, in keeping with the rest of the evening, witty and informative on such historical points).

Amongst the actors, Robin Soans' exasperated patriarch is winningly delivered and Christopher Logan is one part Kenneth Williams and three parts Jean-Paul Gaultier in his Eurotrash prime as gossipy guy Flutter, but it's the actresses who catch the eye. Gina Beck captures the intelligence and playfulness of Letitia, without ever letting us forget that Georgian courtship was no laughing matter with money and reputations at stake, and Hannah Spearritt goes from simpering provincial child-woman to girl about town as she defies her tyrannical, if well-meaning, husband. Most fun, on a stage often filled to bursting with people having fun, are the spinster and widow duo, Jackie Clune and Maggie Steed, languidly dispensing acerbic asides as they advise the youngsters to act not always in their best interests.

Written by Hannah Cowley at the grand old age of 37, you have to hope that the author was a melding of these two characters and herself a fine lady, which she defines thus - A creature for whom nature has done much, but education more; she has taste, elegance, spirit, understanding. In her manner she is free, in her moral, nice. She is undistinguishingly polite. She is the life of conversation, the spirit of society, the joy of the public. It does indeed take a very fine lady to define a fine lady so.

The Belle's Strategem is at Southwark Playhouse until 1 October.

 

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.