Monday, 27 February 2012

She Stoops to Conquer

TNT
There’s lots of uninhibited fun and games going on in the Hardcastle household thanks to prankster Tony Lumpkin’s irresponsible interventions in Oliver Goldsmith’s sprightly 1773 satirical comedy. With a chorus of singing servants, Jamie Lloyd’s rambunctious revival adds a generous dash of 21st century liberation as (under orders from his father), man about town Marlow comes a-wooing and is tricked into believing that his host’s home is the local inn.
Brazen in common company but cripplingly tongue-tied in the presence of women of his own class, Harry Hadden-Paton’s Marlow averts his eyes from his intended (Corrie’s Katherine Kelly), yet is ready to ravish her when she disguises herself as a flirty barmaid. David Fynn proves a rather likeable Lumpkin (despite his gross personal habits), Sophie Thompson milks every syllable for laughs as the rustic Mrs Hardcastle with social aspirations, and John Heffernan, with a more subtle approach as Marlow’s foppish sidekick Hastings, confirms that he’s definitely a name to watch.
Olivier at the National, South Bank, SE1 9PX Tube: Waterloo in rep until 21st April(£12 - £45)nationaltheatre.org.uk

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