'While the Sun Shines' Review

'While the Sun Shines' Review

Venue: The Orange Tree Theatre

Dates: 20 November 2021 - 8 January 2022

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OUR VERDICT:

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The Orange Tree Theatre’s run of While the Sun Shines in the summer of 2019 was so well received that a revival was planned immediately; it should have happened last year, but we all know what went wrong there.

Now the production has reponed in Richmond, ready for a nice long run until 8 January. 

This particular production is the play’s first major London revival of master playwright Terence Rattigan’s charming comedy in decades and it was the writer’s greatest hit, playing for over 1,000 performances in the West End when it opened in 1943. 

On the eve of his wedding, the young Earl of Harpenden (Philip Labey) – Bobby as he is affectionately known – has offered his room to a muscular American lieutenant Joe (Conor Glean) that he drunkenly met the night before.

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When Bobby’s fiancée Lady Elisabeth (played endearingly by Rebecca Collingwood) turns up, Joe makes a move, thinking she must be Bobby’s ex, the wonderful Mabel Crum (Sophie Khan Levy).

But a fiery French lieutenant (Jordan Mifsúd) also has eyes for her, and to complicate matters, Lady Elisabeth’s father, a characterful old Duke (Michael Lumsden), turns up too. As you can imagine, all chaos ensues. The course of true love never did run smooth… 

Stepping into the Orange Tree’s neat little auditorium on a chilly November evening felt like stepping back in time, to Lord Harpenden’s London’s chambers during the Blitz, to be precise.

The set is simple yet very effective; a large ceiling rose and chandelier twinkle above, tall window shutters let in ‘daylight’ and a selection of antiques are all effectively evocative, as is the gentle period soundtrack.  

Director Paul Miller has done a sterling job; as engagements are made and broken and made again, identities mistaken, whisky is swigged and feverish dice games are played by the motley crew of uniformed men, the energy levels are consistently high, timing is good and the cast manoeuvre skilfully around what is a very small space enclosed by the crowd.  

There is no weak link within the company, and they bounce off each other like a well-oiled machine.

The Andrew Scott-esque Philip Labey is the perfect fit for the sophisticated Bobby; he is smooth and wonderfully witty.

John Hudson is very entertaining as Bobby’s ‘man’ Horton, who provides much humour from the outset with his haughty quips, as does the equally pompous, gambling mad Duke of Ayr & Stirling, played brilliantly by Michael Lumsden.

Sophie Khan Levy is captivating as self-professed loveable ‘trollop’ Mabel Crum, with her balance of razor-sharp sass and touching vulnerability.

But it is Jordan Mifsúd’s performance that stole the show for me; the impassioned French lieutenant Colbert had the audience roaring with his well-delivered Gallic arrogance and clever mannerisms. 

The first act felt a touch too long (1hr 40 mins on the night I visited) and the scene involving Lieutenant Mulvaney’s seduction of an intoxicated Lady Elisabeth felt uncomfortably predatory as opposed to charismatic, but other than that, this fun, frothy farce jives along like a charming Charleston. 

The second half is lively and fast-paced; so much so that poor Horton (the butler, played by John Hudson), took an all-mighty tumble and then ran across the stage with a bloody nose; the audience were clearly divided as to whether this was part of the scripted action or not. It turns out that it wasn’t, poor chap, but he pulled it off brilliantly. The show must go on, and all that.

All in all, it’s a joyful romp with a warm heart; a perfect alternative to panto and a welcome antidote to any winter blues or festive stress. 

From now until 8 January 2022. Ticket prices start at £15, £25, £32 (prices increase based on demand). 

https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/while-the-sun-shines