My Cousin Rachel (tour – Aldeburgh)
The two young actors who take the lead roles in the stage adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s My Cousin Rachel which Mark Sterling has developed from [Diana Morgan’s dramatisation are very good. The story is one full of ambiguities, especially those in the title character, and Imogen Slaughter makes her credible as a woman with many pasts but an uncertain future. Slaughter also looks right as a widow of the early Victorian period, even if her wardrobe seems overstocked with shoulder-baring black velvet.
There are a number of short scenes as the action incubates over its nine-month gestation and Sterling’s direction allied to Maurice Rubens seemingly-solid set keeps the whole thing moving. Terry Molloy as the butler assists as he bustles around with trays of drinks, tea services and seasonal flowers. I would have liked some clearer enunciation from Paul Mooney as Rainaldi and Clive Flint as Kendall but Antonia Christophers gives a sprightly sketch of Philip’s cousin, a girl whose affection will never be reciprocated.