London Assurance, National Theatre | reviews, news & interviews
London Assurance, National Theatre
London Assurance, National Theatre
Terrific starry revival of Boucicault's comedy of Regency London manners
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw: Stupendous as self-deluded Sir Harcourt and Lady Gay Spanker, who speaks entirely in hunting metaphorsCatherine Ashmore
For the life of me I cannot understand why London Assurance is not performed more often. It’s a rollicking comedy, written in 1841 but which has a Restoration heart, with a cast list that includes a wideboy named Dazzle, a valet Cool, a servant Pert, a lawyer Meddle and - hold your sides - a horsey broad brandishing a whip named Lady Gay Spanker. Calm down, now.
For the life of me I cannot understand why London Assurance is not performed more often. It’s a rollicking comedy, written in 1841 but which has a Restoration heart, with a cast list that includes a wideboy named Dazzle, a valet Cool, a servant Pert, a lawyer Meddle and - hold your sides - a horsey broad brandishing a whip named Lady Gay Spanker. Calm down, now.
Their marriage is as much a financial as romantic contract and we see that not all happy partnerships are about passion
Explore topics
Share this article
Add comment
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more Theatre
All's Well That Ends Well, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse review - Shakespeare at his least likeable
New production lands on shaky ground in 2024
Wicked review - overly busy if beautifully sung cliffhanger
Musical theatre behemoth becomes an outsized film - and this is just part one
King James, Hampstead Theatre review - UK premiere drains a three-pointer
LeBron James comes and goes, and comes back again to the Cavs
A Christmas Carol, Old Vic review - tidings of discomfort and noise
This venue’s annual festive classic is joyous, but its writing is frankly patronising
[title of show], Southwark Playhouse review - two guys and two girls write about writing, delightfully
Revival of New York show lifts the spirits
ARK: United States V by Laurie Anderson, Aviva Studios, Manchester review - a vessel for the thoughts and imaginings of a lifetime
Despite anticipating disaster, this mesmerising voyage is full of hope
Wolves on Road, Bush Theatre review - exciting dialogue, but flawed plotting
New play about young black men and cryptocurrency is sadly predictable
Burnt Up Love, Finborough Theatre review - scorching new play
Super writing and acting jolts us out of complacency
L’Addition, BAC review - top billing for physical comedy duo
The latest in Forced Entertainment’s 40 years of experiment is a thought-tickling farce
Barcelona, Duke of York's Theatre review - Lily Collins migrates from France to Spain
The 'Emily in Paris' star surrenders to cliche - or does she?
Guards at the Taj, Orange Tree Theatre review - miniature marvel with rich resonances
Rajiv Joseph’s play pitting beauty against duty gets an impressive staging
The Buddha of Suburbia, Barbican Theatre review - farcical fun, but what about the issues?
Hanif Kureishi classic gets a compulsively comic makeover from Emma Rice
Comments
...