THE SECOND MRS TANQUERAY

A thoroughly stirring revival of this forgotten Victorian classic
Steve-Barfield-block-176What director Stephen Unwin, aided by a fine cast, has done in this rare revival of Arthur W Pinero's The Second Mrs Tanqueray (1893), is no less than to show that this really is a forgotten Victorian classic of the British stage, that can be spoken of in the same breath as A Doll's House or Hedda Gabler. Paula Tanqueray is among the most powerful, tragic roles for an actress and the play has some still relevant questions about the way society judges men and women's sexual behaviour quite differently.

Arthur W Pinero was perhaps the most successful of the late Victorian playwrights, but has largely been forgotten by theatregoers and critics alike. Suddenly, his work is being explored again: his farce, The Magistrate (1885) is being revived at the National and Trelawny Of The 'Wells' (1898), at the Donmar in 2013.

Decent, respectable, but somewhat stiff aristocrat Mr Aubrey Tanqueray, a widower, loves and is to marry Paula, a beautiful, captivating, considerably younger woman of his class but with a problematic past. Paula is hoping this marriage will finally lead to her social reintegration. Shunned by society even when they move to his country house, Paula
becomes increasingly lonely, nervy, frustrated and jealous and cannot establish a relationship with innocent Ellean, Aubrey's daughter by his first wife. The marriage is in trouble and the tragedy moves to its denouement when Ellean announces she has fallen in love with war hero Captain Hugh Ardale, and we discover Paula knows him.

There are fine, nuanced performances throughout, which is fluidly, sensitively directed by Unwin who brings out the social
comedy as well as the tragedy. Laura Michelle Kelly excels: there is subtlety and pathos in her vivacious Paula Tanqueray. She is both enchanting and deeply troubled, a complex woman haunted by what she did in her past: as much a woman in pain as one who causes pain to her husband. I've seldom seen an actor inhabit their role quite so successfully. James Wilby brings muted agony as well, to his thoughtful, sympathetic portrayal of Aubrey, as his marriage increasingly disintegrates around him, despite his love for Paula.

This is a thoroughly stirring revival, with a heroine who is as much a protestor against, as a victim of a hypocritical, flawed society.

At the Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston until 27 October: 0844-482 1556, www.rosetheatrekingston.org