Writer: Amy Rosenthal
Director: Richard Beecham
Amy Rosenthal’s wonderfully crafted play is a sparkling twentieth century period piece exploring the ever fascinating interplay between the controversial and somewhat scandalous Mitford sisters, bringing oodles of wit and charm to the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne.
The Mitford sisters are intriguing characters to explore in a play or on screen. Indeed, only this summer, well after this play was commissioned, saw the television series, Outrageous, explore their lives.
From an aristocratic family, the sister grew up in privilege in the nineteen twenties and thirties, where, at an impressionable age, their world view points began to diverge. More than one of the girls was personal friends with Hitler, Unity was obsessed with him. Diana married the fascist MP Oswald Mosely while Jessica (known as Decca) became a staunch communist, leading to a volatile mix in the sisters home life as well as the shock waves that reverberated throughout the upper echelons of high society in England.
Here the story starts in nineteen forty two where Decca (fabulous played by Emma Noakes) is living in Washing DC, America. There she lives under her married name, as she is unsurprisingly ashamed to declare her connection to the Mitfords who are Nazis. Her husband is missing in action after a bombing raid and she is trying to make her way in an uncertain world. We watch as Decca meets Bob (wonderfully played by Joe Coen) a sweet a caring jewish American who is obviously in love with the rather haughty English woman from the start.
The action moves to an earlier time in the 1930’s in the Mitfords grand oxfordshire home. Here we see the Unity espousing the admirable qualities of Hilter, while sisters argue and physically fight. It all feels like a childish game until of course the war begins and then it becomes deadly serious.
The quality of acting on display is fantastic. Everyone has time to shine in this predominantly female cast. Ell Potter as Unity Mitford delights with her physical comedy and revels in her character’s histrionics. Eliasabeth Dermot Walsh gives a commanding performance as the unwavering Diana Mitford and Emma Noakes as Decca and Joe Coen as Bob play out the central love theme beautifully.
The staging is both modernistic and luxuriant. The sliding platforms, use of minimalistic lighting and projection all add to the play. They are beautifully crafted and work seamlessly.
The costumes are stunning and perfectly encapsulate mid twentieth upper class women.
Amy Rosenthal has managed to write a thoroughly engaging piece of theatre. Both funny and flippant as well as being poignant and reflective of society as a whole. The themes seem as prevalent as they ever were, especially in this time of turmoil in world politics.
The Party Girls is a funny, fabulous and thought provoking play with a message of love in it’s centre. Go and see it now.
Reviewed on the 23rd September.
