4 STARS, March 8 – April 14. Amanda Hodges finds plenty to enjoy in the first major London revival of Charlotte Jones' multi award-winning comedy
Manuel Harlan
Charlotte Jones’ delightful play began life at the National Theatre and now, seventeen years on, gets a memorable revival at the Orange Tree. The theatre’s intimate environment brings Jones’ dark comedy into strong relief, Simon Daw’s gorgeous set beautifully recreating the Cotswold garden to which Felix Humble returns on the day of his father’s funeral.
A Physics academic who's in pursuit of "the theory of everything", but is finding that nothing emotionally makes much sense, Felix's life is rapidly unravelling and he's been unable to deliver the funeral oration expected of him. With echoes of Hamlet at every turn, he's faced with the prospect of his glamorous, selfish mother harbouring boorish suitor George Pye in the wings, nervous but kindly neighbour Mercy acting as unofficial family go-between and his ex-girlfriend appearing on the horizon. Not to mention a gentle gardener who may not be quite what he initially seems.
Manuel Harlan
Amidst the hollyhocks and the chaos that threatens to engulf his life Felix finds his only his father's beloved bees seem to offer him some hope for the future as he tries to navigate his path towards clarity and re-establish some sense of family connection. Jones' play wears its science lightly and so it never feels like she's being didactic, the dilemmas that preoccupy her cast of characters are those of universal resonance like finding your place in the world and trying to make sense of the sometimes incomprehensible facets of existence.
Christopher Ravenscroft is excellent as the mysterious gardener who offers Felix sage advice but the whole ensemble elicit every possible nuance and chink of gentle laughter from the script whilst one can only blanch at Belinda Lang's sharp portrayal of the utterly self-absorbed Flora Humble. Mercy's elongated delivery of "Grace" at a tense lunch party which betrays all her inner turmoil is beautifully delivered by Selina Cadell and whilst some jokes are broader than others (like the running gag about Felix' father ashes appearing in the most unsuitable spots) generally the production hits just the right note with everyone credibly finding the essence of their characters.
Humble Boy is at the Orange Tree Theatre until April 14. For tickets, visit: orangetreetheatre.co.uk
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