The Sacred Flame

Synopsis

Written in the 1920s. World War One hero Maurice Tabret is disabled after a flying accident, tended lovingly by his mother, his beautiful wife Stella, and the devoted Nurse Wayland. When he dies from an overdose during the night, and it is revealed that Stella is in love with Maurice's brother Colin and is expecting a baby, questions begin to be raised as to whether it was murder or suicide.

Our Review:

John Dixon - 26 September 2012

Rachel Tackley, Director of the English Touring Theatre tells us, in the programme of The Sacred Flame, that she and Director Matthew Dunster, both felt the time was right to give the little performed play a good dusting down. Unfortunately, following the dusting a good polish is still needed.

W. Somerset Maugham’s play revolves around Maurice Tabret (Jamie De Courcey), who had a serious accident several years ago is now bed ridden and looked after by Nurse Wayland (Sarah Churm). Still very much in love with his wife Stella (Beatriz Romilly) he refuses to go to bed until she returns from the opera with his brother. However, by the following morning he has died unexpectedly and then accusations start about the possibility of him being murdered.

Margot Leicester, as Mrs. Tabret, holds the production together and her performance is leagues ahead of the rest of the cast, who appear very stilted and awkward at times. But full credit must also be to Jamie De Courcey, who...

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