Theatre review: Relative Values

5:16pm Tuesday 20th March 2007

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Relative Values is one of Noel Coward's less familiar plays. But in many ways it exemplifies his craft.

It contains the witty banter, which sparkles like champagne bubbles and is timeless - and also the social and political mores which date the play.

The current production by showdon'ttell at the Greenwich Playhouse captures its charm and - on the night I was there - had the audience veering between chuckles and guffaws throughout.

Deepest Kent, circa 1951. The aristocratic Marshwoods of Marshwood House happily live a feudal, Martini-soaked existence - until the imminent arrival of the son-and-heir with his fiancée Miranda, a Hollywood starlet.

The household is generally aghast at the thought of the noble bloodline being sullied by an American, but none more so than stodgy, loyal ladies maid Moxie - who knows dark secrets about Miranda.

Star of the show is Brigid Lohry as the matriarchal Countess. She and her sidekick, the fey Peter (Simon Money) make a great double act: Her almost Victoria Wood-like musings contrast wonderfully with his physical, highly expressive comedy.

Tight direction keeps comic timing precise and the cluttered, homely set speaks of genteel dowdiness rather than vulgar glitz. One anomaly: The plethora of ashtrays remain conspicuously unsullied - by characters who in Coward's day would probably have smoked like chimneys.

Performances are on the whole accomplished. Sue Scantlebuy is an impressive multi-tasker as a dotty servant and a tipsy dowager.

Wendy Albiston is strangely low-key as central figure Moxie, while Ben de Halpert is the cynical, knowing voice of Coward as Jeeves-like butler Crestwell.

On element which jarred was movie star Miranda (Karen Graham) being heavily pregnant. This was unexplained and only minimally alluded to with the odd raised eyebrow and refused cocktail.

The company says the actress is a core member and, as parts for pregnant performers are hard to find, it was decided this script has the scope for her to play the part.

This is all very well but from the audience's point of view it distracted and detracted from the show. Besides, Miranda had none of the Hollywood razzmatazz the Marshwoods were so dreading.

While we are finding faults, Coward's obsequious love of aristocracy and desire to preserve the class structure run through this text, as does his derision for progress and equality. These aspects do date the play somewhat.

So in some ways, the play and this production make the perfect match - both flawed but thoroughly charming and very funny.

Relative Values, to April 1. Greenwich Playhouse, Greenwich High Road SE10, £11/£9 concs. Box office 020 8858 9256 or visit galleontheatre.co.uk