Review: Less Than Kind (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Less Than Kind (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 24th June 2013

Less Than Kind opens with Olivia Brown skillfully organising a busy social life for her and her partner, Sir John Fletcher. It transpires that her beautiful home belongs to Sir John who is going through a divorce. In her former life Olivia, now widowed, had a modest lifestyle married to a dentist. It is apparent, however, that Olivia and Sir John are very much in love. Then Olivia’s son, who had been sent away at age 12 when war broke out, returns trying to demonstrate he is now an adult with socialist views and he objects to his mother’s relationship with a man who he considers a fascist.

The play is a comedy with many amusing lines, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The whole cast are true professionals, I was totally engrossed from beginning to end. There are two sets, both effective but entirely different, the first being Sir John Fletcher’s ‘posh’ house, the second being Olivia Brown’s modest bedsit.

Sue Holderness plays the part of a socialite beautifully, and although William Gaminara’s Canadian accent slipped once or twice, he interacted perfectly with his lover. Katie Evans plays the subservient servant Polton so well that, even with a relatively small part, she raised some laughs! Charlie Hamblett plays Olivia’s son Michael convincingly, trying to be manly and demonstrate he can now take care of his mother but, at the same time, showing his vulnerability and immaturity.

Laura Doddington plays the part of Diana, Sir John’s estranged wife. She is also an accomplished actress and performed well, raising a very positive response from the audience to her performance.

It was a pleasure watching such an excellent play, performed by a truly accomplished cast. Throughout I was transported back to those wartime days, and enjoyed the humour against a backdrop of wartime Britain. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Suzanne Mayer
suzanne@westendframe.com

Less Than Kind runs at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre until Saturday 29th June 2013.
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