The Cabinet Minister, Menier Chocolate Factory Review
L-R Dom Hodson (Keith), Rosalind Ford (Imogen Twombley), Romaya Weaver (Lady Effie Vibart) and Nancy Carroll (Lady Katherine Twombley) in The Cabinet Minister. Photo by Tristram Kenton
Written by Philip for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Arthur Wing Pinero’s 1890 Victorian farce, The Cabinet Minister, roars back to life in this brand new adaptation by Nancy Carroll. It is almost uncanny that a play that was written so long ago has so many parallels with the world we live in today.
Focusing on cabinet minister, Sir Julian Twombley we thankfully don’t quite make it to the Commons but do get more than a glimpse at the pandemonium that surrounds him and his family. Lady Katherine, the wife of Sir Julian, is the linchpin for the majority of the drama, running up huge debts just like her son, Brooke, while getting duped into devious dealings with dressmaker Fanny Lacklustre and her dodgy brother Bernard. Coupled with the betrothal of the Twombley’s only daughter Imogen to Sir Colin MacPhail, the road to disaster is obvious, especially with the fact she is in love with Valentine White, a man child who has just returned from an eight year quest around the world to shun the world of nobility. Sir Julian’s sister Dowager Countess Dora is also on hand to meddle in the affairs of her family. Chaos ensues to much hilarity providing many a moment of pure joy.
Paul Foster directs the whole affair with a keen eye for detail to pull the comedy into the present day. He helps breathe new life into these brilliant characters. Having the actor-muso’s play jaunty interludes throughout the play adds to the amusement immensely especially when paired with musical innuendo. This crisp production is exquisitely designed by Janet Bird. The set and costumes come together perfectly to transport you back to Victorian England. They exude grace and class even when the characters who inhabit the places and the clothes do not.
Filled with witty one-liners, much double entendres and a hilarious cast, The Cabinet Minister is a brilliant romp. Not only has Nancy Carroll adapted this farce, but she also plays Lady Katherine herself and boy does she shine. You cannot help but be captivated by her. She is a master of her craft. Giving us so much light and shade and ultimately barrels of comedy. Nicolas Rose’s Sir Julian is the picture of Victorian nobility, somewhat stern and uptight but with a real love for his family. Joe Edgar and Rosalind Ford appear as the Twombley children, Brooke and Imogen respectively. Edgar transforms into posh mummy’s boy Brooke hilariously. Ford has taken the idea of a romantic lead and magnified it. She is so silly and light and airy and a joy to watch especially when she is on stage with her love interest, Valentine White. White, skilfully played by George Blagden is just as silly as his counterpart. Blagden is so serious which makes him so much funnier. He is utterly charming even when being deliberately aloof. The Dowager Countess and her children Effie and Keith all add to the chaos imbedded in the family with Dom Hudson and Romaya Weaver playing Keith and Effie. They make use of every moment on stage to great effect. Sara Crowe as Dowager Countess Dora though is one of this show’s scene stealers. She never enters a scene without a motive and this alone is enough to cause a titter from the audience. She is brilliant as the overbearing and meddling aunt in this family affair.
The only real outsiders come in two forms. A family who wants to marry in and a pair of grifters who would rather force their way into the family. Dillie Keane, the second of our scene stealers, and Matthew Woodyat admirably play Lady MacPhail and her son Sir Colin. The pair is just exquisite. Keane is such a fantastic comedy actress using physical comedy to her advantage. She steals every scene which when paired with Woodyat’s Colin, who seems to always be looking for an escape rather than having to engage with those around him, is amusing to say the least. Phoebe Fildes’s seamstress by morning and lady by afternoon, Fanny Lacklustre is one brilliant baddie. She slinks around the stage always trying to gain the upper hand. Her faux French and fake posh accent give her a real grifter vibe. She has a twinkle in her eye. A devious character yes but somewhat loveable too. Bernard Lacklustre played by Laurence Ubong Williams is the polar opposite, he is loud and brash and bad and a delight to watch.
Though this slick production is indeed very funny, for me there is just a little something missing. It has all the right components and has been made relevant to today with small tweaks made to the book but it felt a little flat in places.
This is definitely one to watch. It’s not running for long but I’d love for it to transfer and have a further life.
The Cabinet Minister is running at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 19th November.
★★★★
