She Stoops to Conquer: Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond (OT On Screen)

A lively, Christmassy version of Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy set in the 1930’s, directed by Tom Littler and Francesca Ellis. Mr Hardcastle (David Horovitch) and his wife (Greta Scacchi) crave different things. He loves all things old and to reminisce about the Duke of Marlborough’s military victories; she longs to go to town, to talk of newness — in fashion and London. But they’re stuck in the country, in old Hardcastle Hall — which could easily be mistaken for an inn. Mr Hardcastle plans to marry his daughter Kate (Tanya Reynolds) to his old friend’s son, Charles Marlow (Freddie Fox). He’s motoring down to meet her.

Then there is Mrs Hardcastle’s wastrel son Tony from her first (pre-Hardcastle marriage), to Mr Lumpkin. Tony (Guy Hughes) can’t wait to come of age so he can spend all his inheritance on wine, women, gambling and song. He’s already having a good go, having stolen the keys to his mother’s bureau — and her cash. Happier down the local inn than with his family, he entertains with a song and works some mischief when Marlow and his friend Hastings (Robert Mountford) turn up lost.

Marlow and Hastings do get to Hardcastle Hall — only they don’t realise it, and think they’re at an inn — leading to a lot of presumption on Marlow’s part. And an outraged apoplexy on Hardcastle’s part at this invasion of his home and affront to his hospitality — and stealing of his favourite chair. Cos the old ways are the best — not this modern liberality!

Nor is the meeting of the soon-to-be-betrothed going well. With strange classism, Marlow can only be free with working class women; with women of his own class, he can neither speak nor look them in the eye. (Even with the support of his best friend Hastings in the same room).

Also beset in romance is Hastings, as he meets the woman he loves, Constance (Sabrina Bartlett), who is Mrs Hardcastle’s niece. Mrs Hardcastle, having spoilt and pampered her son, wants Constance and Tony to marry. But neither of them want this. Constance’s inheritance comes in jewels, currently held under the steely custody of Mrs Hardcastle. Working persuasively to get her jewels from her aunt during her Christmas stay, she and Hastings plan to elope to France with her wearable wealth — where the laws of marriage are respected!

Then there is Diggory (Richard Derrington), the ancient and perpetually hungry retainer, who is being trained by Hardcastle in the art of polite butlering. Not very successfully.

Meanwhile Marlow, (still behaving as though he’s at an inn), mistakes Kate for a barmaid — which she capitalises on as a way to get him to talk to her and more! Humourously, he is now very free with his words and easily talks to her.

In a lightbulb moment, Hastings offers Tony a way out of his unwanted marriage — he will take Constance off his hands and run off with her. Tony steals Constance’s jewels from his aunt, gives them to Hastings, who gives them to Marlow to look after — who gives them to Diggory to give to the ‘landlady’. (Who is secretly trying to hold onto them for Tony).

Appearing all loved up infront of Mrs Hardcastle, Constance and Tony share delighted news of the plan. Only this gets scuppered when a note arrives from Hastings — which Tony is unable to read. Constance fakes the note’s contents — and Tony foolishly asks his mother to help read it, resulting in a parental melt-down as she discovers the elopement plan. Rather than running away with Hastings, Constance is forced to pack and leave with her aunt for another, severer aunt custody, driven by Tony.

In a suitably snowy scene, Tony wreaks more mischief as he has driven his aunt and cousin round and round — dumping them in a pond next to their garden. As it’s both dark and wintry, this ruse enables Constance and her luggage to join Hastings, whilst bedraggled Mrs Hardcastle struggles out of the pond, battles suspected highwaymen and the terrors of the night. (Ofcourse she’s being played, yet again, by her son). Cue lots of torches, hiding in the pergola and an unfortunate interruption by…Mr Hardcastle. Conned into thinking that Mr Hardcastle is one, or perhaps two, highwaymen, Mrs Hardcastle seeks to save her son from his perilous negotiations — only to find that she’s in her back garden — with her husband. (Not 40 miles away with robbers as her son keeps telling her).

How is all the mortification, confusing and crossing and double-crossing going to end? Well, for one, Constance and Hastings return as she’s unwilling to continue their flight to France. Then there’s almost a mass fight as Hastings, Marlow and Tony blame one another. Furthermore Marlow Snr has arrived and is about to hide in a corner with Hardcastle to overhear Kate and Marlow talking to one another. (To the confused fathers Marlow seem to have two separate personalities). This will be yet another revelation for Marlow, having already learnt that Kate isn’t a barmaid and neither is he in an inn!) Hardcastle also has another reveal which will help resolve everything for everyone…

Sharp, funny, combining repartee, physical and situational comedy with a beautiful Christmas tree, baubles, fake snow and presents! There’s also romance, great use of partner Charleston, jazz and a lot of learning curves! Diggory literally strikes a pose! Tremendous too is Hardcastle’s explosive moment as he hurls everything from cushions to a cheese at his presumptuous guest! (But not the jigsaw puzzle which turned out to be Wedgewood — Tinkety Tonk!)

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