The Marquise
Theatre Royal Windsor
until 6th June
I love taking my 17-year-old daughter to the theatre, but I did wonder whether The Marquise at Theatre Royal Windsor might feel a little old-fashioned for her. I needn’t have worried. She and her friend were soon giggling in their seats.
I was interested to see how the production, directed by Philip Wilson, would balance Noël Coward’s famous wit and elegance with a play that is not as well-known as some of his other works. As we settled in, and the curtain lifted onto the gorgeous art deco set, Theatre Royal Windsor felt like the perfect setting. It gave the evening a real sense of occasion and traditional theatrical charm.
The play centres on the return of the Marquise, a glamorous and disruptive figure from the past. She drifts onto the stage and exclaims to Raoul who thought she was dead, “I should never have died without writing to you.” From that moment on, she unsettles and charms everyone (including the audience) in equal measure.
Adrienne and Miguel are about to be married, but neither of them wants the match. Adrienne is in love with her father’s secretary Jacques. Miguel, the son of her father’s best friend Esteban, is in love with a man. His line to Adrienne “I won’t marry you, I promise” pretty much sets the tone.
The brilliant Simon Shepherd, who recently starred at Theatre Royal Windsor opposite Jenny Seagrove, plays Raoul de Vriaac. He brings real presence to the role: stiff, proud, wounded and funny. Raoul disapproves of the proposed marriage, but he also disapproves of the Marquise coming back into his home and stirring up the past.
Juliet Aubrey, in the title role, is central to the success of the production. Her Marquise is mesmerising…witty and glamorous, scheming, but also with a vulnerability. She gives the play much of its energy.
Eva O’Hara is adorable as Adrienne. She brings freshness and charm to the role and gives the younger generation a lovely comic lightness.
There are some excellent one-liners. Raoul’s friend Esteban tells him, “You have been bored into religion,” and Miguel reassures Adrienne, “Some convents are very accommodating.”
The production also has lovely theatrical touches. We get live piano music and song, a duel, and some excellent physical comedy. Even the Marquise’s maid manages to make us laugh without having to say a word.
The pace is quick, and the plot moves from one revelation to another as we rattle through love, loss, duty and desire. Coward himself apparently described the play as frivolous, and it does feel frivolous at times – but I mean that in a good way. It is fast, funny and charming. A fun night for all.
Reviewer: Klara Kallis
Cast
Juliet Aubrey as Marquise Eloise de Kestournel
Simon Shepherd as Raoul de Vriaac
Tristan Gemmill as Esteban el Duco Santaguano.
Albie Marber as Jaques Rijar
Eva O’Hara as Adrienne.
Tour
27 May – 6 June 2026 – Windsor / Theatre Royal
9 – 13 June 2026 – Oxford / Playhouse
16 – 20 June 2026 – Bath / Theatre Royal
23 – 27 June 2026 – Guildford / Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
30 June – 4 July 2026 – Arts Theatre Cambridge