This weekend only see the hilarious film LONDON ASSURANCE, a brilliantly funny Victorian comedy from National Theatre. Thread attended the preview screening and loved it…
This weekend only – 24 and 25th July – see the hilarious film across New Zealand cinemas, LONDON ASSURANCE, Boucicault’s brilliantly funny Victorian comedy. This National Theatre production from Nicholas Hytner was a sell-out hit at the Olivier Theatre London. It stars Simon Russell Beale, Richard Briers and Fiona Shaw. Thread attended the preview screening and loved it. Liz Johnson tells us all about it…
Today I have experienced the professional, slick and thoroughly enjoyable skills of the National Theatre’s production of the play London Assurance.
Introduced by the personable and articulate Emma Freud, we were brought up to date with how the play, written by the Irish genius Dion Boucicault, was made relevant with humour relevant for today’s audiences. The current production was in the capable hands of Nicholas Hytner.
Written originally about 1841, it is pure entertainment, drawing sharp contrast between lifestyles in the town versus the country. The core theme was woven around a marriage settlement of a very unlikely couple -a 59 year old gentleman and an 18 year old whom he intended to marry.
The storyline of constant confusion of identity, social differences, and colourful characters was expertly portrayed by the strong cast.
Fiona Shaw was superb as Lady Gay Spanker, an iconic ‘horsey English countrywoman’, who drew the attention of the London gent, who was intending to win the heart of the young Grace. Richard Briers played Lady Gay’s forgetful husband and was memorable for his constant hopefulness of regaining his youthful prowess.
The play was extremely funny, for the most part held my interest well, and well worth seeing.
The bonus of attending the movie was the introductory segment which showed an outdoor audience viewing the play on a large screen, and being treated to an amazing live show by 6 dancer/jugglers. They performed on the outdoor stage where picnickers had gathered outside the National Theatre which had been having sellout ticket sales. At the closure of the play, the actors made their way outside to take a bow for this second audience, who were enjoying a lovely summer evening.
LONDON ASSURANCE will screen in cinemas across NZ for very limited sessions between Saturday 24th July and Monday 26th July.
Please find detailed information on venue locations and session times at www.rialtodistribution.com.
By Liz Johnson, 19 July 2010.
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