Filumena, Richmond Theatre Review
Photo by Jack Merriman
Written by Eleanor for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Filumena is a classic comical play originally written in 1946 by Eduardo De Filippo. It follows a former courtesan, named Filumena (played by Falicity Kendall), who has recently tricked her wealthy businessman lover, named Don Domenico (played by Matthew Kelly), into marrying her. When Don Domenico realises he will have to provide for more than just his new wife, Filumena must act quickly to secure her position and her new husband.
This play was enjoyable overall but does feel a bit dated. The pacing is a little slow at times with lots of longer monologues which tended to lose my interest. But as the story picks up in the second half I found it to be a fun night of theatre which had the audience captivated with this interesting protagonist and her story.
The story of Filumena is intriguing, with numerous twists and turns that kept the audience entertained. However, the first half of the show feels overly elongated, causing a dip in engagement. This is unfortunate, as the second half picks up significantly in terms of pace and excitement. The slow pacing likely stems from the structure of the writing, where much of the dialogue consists of extended monologues one after another. Snappier dialogue, particularly during the argument at the beginning of the show when Don Domenico realises he has been duped, would have been more impactful.
Despite this, Filumena stood out as a witty and endearing protagonist. Her warmth contrasts beautifully with her fiery exchanges with Don Domenico, which also show her clever and sly nature. Don Domenico, on the other hand, serves as a bold and brash foil to Filumena. His occasional rambling speeches sometimes lacked focus, but his softer side revealed later in the play adds complexity and balances his character. Rosalia, Filumena’s maid and staunch supporter, has a well-integrated role that adds depth to the narrative. But unfortunately Michele, a colleague of Don Domenico, was often relegated to the background, just sitting an drinking seemingly unaffected by his surroundings. While the actor delivers a solid performance, rethinking this character’s involvement could help streamline the story. The other three main characters —Umberto, Alfredo, and Nocella— were a highlight of the show for me. Their lively presence brought energy and humour to the play, particularly through their interactions with each other and Don Domenico. However, I did think their reactions to a life-changing revelation from Filumena felt oddly rushed, which slightly undermines the emotional impact of that moment.
Felicity Kendal shines as Filumena, delivering a nuanced and emotive performance. Her grounded portrayal immediately garners sympathy for her character, and her understated moments add depth to the role. Matthew Kelly as Don Domenico gave a similarly strong performance, embodying the authoritative head of the household convincingly. His outbursts are impactful, but a greater contrast with quieter, more introspective moments earlier in the play would have enhanced his portrayal further. These softer moments do appear towards the end of the play, but I would have loved to have seen more moments like these peppered throughout. Gavin Fowler (Umberto), Jamie Hogarth (Alfredo), and Ben Nealon (Nocella) each deliver distinctive performances despite often appearing together. A standout scene where they compare their singing abilities was particularly memorable and a standout moment for me.
I also wanted to mention how lavish and intricate the set design is, providing a grand and visually stunning backdrop for the play. This level of detail is impressive, particularly for a touring production. However, the static nature of the setting limits visual variety, making slower sections of the play feel even longer. A more dynamic use of the set maybe could have alleviated some of the monotony during the less engaging moments.
Filumena offers an entertaining glimpse into a fun, yet complex, family dynamic. While the play's pacing and monologue-heavy structure can feel dated, the engaging performances (particularly by Felicity Kendal and Matthew Kelly) do elevate the material. Although it might not have necessarily been for me, I do think this play will charm and entertain audiences.
Filumena is currently playing at Richmond Theatre until 23rd November 2024.
★★★
