Have You Got The Stamina For Tonight At 8.30?

Tonight at 8.30, Jermyn Street Theatre ★★★☆☆

By Chris Bridges Last edited 71 months ago

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Have You Got The Stamina For Tonight At 8.30? Tonight at 8.30, Jermyn Street Theatre 3
Photo: David Monteith-Hodge

Forget the London Marathon. The theatrical marathon is the new trend thanks to recent successes at the National Theatre and The Young Vic. Jermyn Street has jumped on the bandwagon by reviving nine one-act Noel Coward plays from the 1930s. They can be seen either over three separate nights or as a lumbar-crippling triple-bill on one day. The plays are exactly what you’d expect from Noel: a mix of arch comedy complete with clipped accents and the inevitable drawing room, some skittish songs and the odd dose of restrained emotional drama.

Photo: David Monteith-Hodge

The production values are high with the cast of nine gamely taking on a smorgasbord of roles backed by some witty scenic tricks and a raft of glorious costumes. However, although the dust has been blown away from these theatrical relics the actual plays still feel less than sparkling. Mostly, the drama feels sterile and unengaging and you’re unlikely to find the comedy as funny as it finds itself. Probably best left for the Coward super-fans.

Photo: David Monteith-Hodge

Tonight at 8.30:Nuclear Families, Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6ST, £10-30, until 20 May 2018 (Wednesday to Sunday).

Last Updated 23 April 2018