My Brilliant Divorce

Synopsis

My Brilliant Divorce follows a woman through the break-up of her marriage. The play premiered at the Druid Theatre in Galway, Ireland in the autumn of 2001 with Glenne Headly. When Angela Lipsky's husband has a mid-life crisis and a mid-European affair, she finds herself adrift in a sea of shifty solicitors, a disapproving mother, a series of helpline counsellors and Christmas all on her own. Bizarre dates, suspect purchases, a near reconciliation with the ex, then a singles 'away weekend' in the Welsh Hills brings about a surprise meeting and maybe some hope.

Our Review:

25 February 2003

After the horror that was last year's solo show about a lonely and sexually deprived middle-aged woman (the truly awful Betty), my expectations for the latest West End addition to said genre were understandably low. What a surprising relief then to be able to report that Geraldine Aron's My Brilliant Divorce is actually rather ... well, brilliant, at least as rendered here by Dawn French in a handsome and heart-warming performance.

Is it better, as a progamme extract by John Mortimer puts, to have "a life of choked-back fury and a companion to hate than the loneliness of the bed-sitter and the silence of a book in the corner of a holiday hotel"?

That's the question that French's Angela grapples with when her husband Max unceremoniously dumps her in favour of a young Mexican minx. Over the next three years of her life - which translates into one hour and 40 minutes of stage time - Angela's emotions, insecurities and financ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.50.13) - 31 March 2003:

Dawn as her ever funny self. This show is a must see; not just for those who have been though a divorce but for those who need a good laugh. The script was beautifully written and beautifully conveyed to show us the just what we need to know. The jokes are well written for the situation and are made funnier using visal aids! Go book tickets Now! c.Bayford...

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