Waiting in the Wings – Pentameters Theatre, London

Writer: Noel Coward

Director: Aline Waites

Reviewer: Elizabeth Vile

The Public Reviews Rating:

Set in the lounge of ‘The Wings’ a charity home for retired actresses Noel Coward’s play is a sensitively written, comic piece about its ‘inmates’. Written during Coward’s sixtieth year the play gives centre stage to the ten ladies who reside there and gives them the opportunity to shine centre stage once more.

It is a rarely performed piece, possibly not being performed in a professional capacity since the original production in 1960 so it was a joy and a privilege for me to watch it.

The main reason that was stated as to why the piece has not been performed in so long was the problems of casting. Finding ten ladies to take on the main roles, the youngest to be in their late fifties, is not an easy task but the Pentameters Theatre achieved this. Every lady on stage played their part with an enthusiasm and vitality that I have not seen in some twentysomethings on stage. Their commitment to their character and their obvious enjoyment of their roles was a joy to watch. I would love to mention every actress individually but the two that really stood out for me were Jackie Skarvellis who played the prickly and witty Cora Clarke, and Frances Cuka who injected the moody but caring May Davenport with sensitivity and humour. These ladies were supported by a group of younger actors who took on the roles of the employees of the home, a reporter and the son of one of the ‘inmates’. Although they performed well I felt that they didn’t quite match the standard of the older ladies and were slightly over shadowed by them.

A special mention needs to go to Cliff Burgess who took on the role of the loyal and devoted Osgood Meeker. His performance was touching and totally believable as he created for the audience a beautiful picture of the unseen but ever present Martha.

The set was a detailed recreation of a 1950′s sitting room that the actors moved comfortably around. it was busy but not cluttered and fitted all the actors in without it feeling cramped. The photos of old actresses, including Gertrude Lawrence, around the walls was a lovely touch.

I only have two niggles with the play, the first being the weaker performances of the smaller characters, and the second being the length of the piece. I understand that the production was being as true to the original as possible, but I couldn’t help thinking it would have benefited from being ten minutes shorter as the pace seemed to drop near the end and I found my interest waning.

Overall this is a beautifully and lovingly crafted and performed piece. The show is well acted and is full of humour and pathos. You feel a real sympathy and connection with this group of ladies who have learnt to deal with the situation life has dealt them with dignity, friendship and respect.