Very privileged yesterday to be at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington for the inaugural performance of my wife and fellow Rotarian Joan Greening's series of "Mistresses" (she's written & directed them).Here's what an early reviewer had to say.....
"Award
winning playwright Joan Greening’s new show explores relationships between
women who have achieved greatness by being a mistress for a royal or famous man
and the effect it has on the people around them.
Jean
Heard, an experienced television, stage and film actress plays a prostitute who
has known Nell Gwyn. The performance is
funny, touching and gives a comprehensive feel of restoration England.
RADA-trained
Julia Munrow then takes the stage as Fanny Cornforth and Elizabeth Siddal. The rivalry between the two women for
Rossetti’s love ends in tragedy. Julia Munrow shows what a versatile actress she
is managing to show the heartbreak of Elizabeth
and the raunchy but vulnerable Fanny.
Queen
Adelaide recounts the story of Dorothy Jordan to end the first half. Jean Heard shows the hurt that William IV
caused his wife and her annoyance is both funny and pathetic.
The
second half opens with the further rivalry for Rossetti’s love. This time it is between Fanny and Jane
Morris. The steadfast Fanny changes from
a mistress to a nurse and the self-seeking Jane drifts aways as Rossetti
becomes a drug addict. Julia Munrow delights the audience with a mesmeric
performance.
Jean
Heard ends the show as Lillie Langtry. Lillie
is played with great vigour and is naughty, funny and very likeable.
The
show leavers the audience delightfully entertained and more than a little
moved."
The pictures accompanying this post are of the two actresses from each of the five pieces in sequence. Personally I thought the reviewer somewhat undersells the intensity of the performances - from light and breezy to sombre and devastated. Oh, and the writing is terrific - I could be biased - but I don't think so in this case.
The
show has two more matinee performances, October 27th and November 3rd
at 3 p.m. Tickets available from the
Kings Head Box Office 020 7478 0160
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