The Rat Trap at Park Theatre Review
Lily Nichol and Ewan Miller in The Rat Trap. Photo by Mitzi de Margary
Written by Becky for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
When two brilliant egotists marry… there is bound to be trouble.” Noël Coward’s The Rat Trap is an enthusiastic dramedy scrutinising the institution of marriage and its limitations on personal freedom. Reimagined by Bill Rosenfield and directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, the production successfully captures Coward’s themes of challenging romance, female friendship, and isolation; themes he explored at just eighteen years old.
When talented novelist Sheila (Lily Nichol) follows her heart and marries playwright Keld (Ewan Miller), she is warned on the eve of their wedding that when two equally creative people marry, one must inevitably compromise. Shortly after, the honeymoon phase fades and frustrations surface. Their relationship quickly unravels when Sheila decides to step away from her own creativity to let her husband’s career shine.
Nichol and Miller excel at portraying the tumultuous relationship between Sheila and Keld. Their arguments perfectly encapsulate how cohabitation can stifle artistic expression. Miller is highly animated, using sarcastic outbursts and gestures to bemoan the mundanity of married life. This contrasts effectively with Nichol’s level-headed anger, showcasing Sheila as a strong character fighting for equality against a selfish and immature husband. While this entertaining dynamic isn't always maintained in the quieter moments, their performances highlight the progressive feminist themes present in Coward’s early work.
The principal roles are supported by confident performances from the couple's acquaintances. Bramhill’s well-spoken and truthful portrayal of Sheila’s best friend, Olive, underscores the vital importance of female friendship. Likewise, Alisa Joy and Daniel Abbott are excellent as the infuriatingly positive Naomi and Edmund, who constantly plant seeds of doubt and jealousy in Sheila’s mind.
Given that Coward wrote the final pages of The Rat Trap while recovering from a psychological breakdown following the First World War, Ward echoes this trauma in the atmosphere of Act IV. The new setting of a Cornish living room against the backdrop of a stormy coast, enhances Sheila’s marital isolation. This adds a poignant layer to her final line, “I feel so alone,” which could be perceived as an indication of Coward’s own state of mind.
Performing at Finsbury Park’s Park Theatre until 14th March, The Rat Trap is neither a comedy or a drama, but does reinforce Coward’s questioning of the dangers of marriage by showcasing the importance of honesty, friendship and being truthful to oneself.
★★★
