The Clandestine Marriage

Synopsis

This play is a delightful 'romp' full of wonderfully drawn comic characters. It was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1776. Mr Sterling, a self made man, has two daughters, the younger daughter has married secretly and this clandestine marriage must not be revealed until his elder daughter is safely married. After much coming and going and mistaken identities, the play is resolved in truly farcical style.

Our Review:

7 August 2001

Rarely can Restoration comedy have been reworked so beautifully as this production of George Colman and David Garrick's masterpiece, The Clandestine Marriage, first performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1766.

Directed by Timothy Sheader and designed by Jessica Curtis, this new Watermill production takes the play - and the audience - out of the "in the round" auditorium in the original mill to four sets in the idyllic landscaped gardens and, at one point, onto the gently flowing waters of the mill stream itself. Conceptually, it is no less than brilliant. As a result, the actors, who all achieve perfect diction, are physically nudged into exhilarating and highly involving performances.

The story centres on the the geriatric Lord Ogleby (superbly played by Sam Dastor) who pulls rank on everyone (except his fire-eating sister Mrs Heidelberg, rendered by Christina Greatrex) as part of his quest to enjoy the last glimmerings of life in his Garden o...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 16 August 2001:

We don't need to worry about the future of period drama on this evidence. A mainly young cast show how it should be done. No dead stylised performances here but a lively funny and involving production. Let those directors who update everything willy nilly note...period helps escapism and therefore heightens humour. PS the Watermill now has air-conditioning (but not enough mozzy repellant)...

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