Mrs Warren’s Profession at the Garrick Theatre

Such was the wish of theatre group members to see Imelda Staunton and her daughter Bessie Carter that we had two groups attend this play on 23rd and 30th July due to shortage of seats available on the same day.

Below is Ann’s review of the play:

The thought of seeing Imelda Staunton in anything is irresistible so I was looking forward to Mrs Warren's Profession after last seeing her star in Hello Dolly last year. We had excellent seats in the Dress Circle so looked down on a turntable stage decked out as an English country garden - grass, floral displays and a garden seat. Lounging, reading, in the seat is Mrs Warren's daughter, Vivie (played by Imelda's real life daughter Bessie Carter).

We learn that she has just graduated from Cambridge with honours in mathematics and is determined to pursue a career in the City as an actuarial accountant and live an independent life. Vivie has a complex relationship with her mother and has no idea of Mrs Warren's profession until events of the play unfold courtesy of Mrs Warren's business partner, Sir George Crofts (admirably played by Robert Glenister). Thrown into the mix is a love story, Vivie who is being pursued by Frank Gardner (Reuben Joseph). Frank is the son of the nervous Rev Samuel Gardner (amiably played by Downton Abbey's Mr Molesley, Kevin Doyle). The love story trots along happily until Sir George Crofts (yes him again) tells them that they are half brother and sister. No wonder Rev Garden is jittery keeping a secret like that! 

The climax of the play is when Vivie confronts Mrs Warren about her life managing "hotels" in Brussels, Ostend and Vienna and is horrified when she realises how her mother became wealthy. The two parter gives mother and daughter the opportunity to bring their theatrical skills to the fore as they attack and defend each other's characters. I have to commend the magnetic performance by Bessie Carter. She spends the most time on stage and delivers a wonderfully comfortable performance throughout. 

This was a well presented and acted play with excellent dialogue expertly delivered by the whole cast. Also, many reviews have addressed that some of the themes explored in the play given wealth and "profession" still have relevance today. I also wanted to mention the English country garden which slowly disappeared during the performance as the play headed to its climax. There was a troupe of young women dressed in white Victorian underwear who appeared like robotic ghosts during the scene changes where little by little they dismantled the lush garden until the stage was bare. All very effective.

At the curtain call, I think the applause and cheers for Bessie Carter were a bit louder than for her Mum. Imelda Staunton must be such a proud Mum. What a talented family. 

After the performance we waited at the Stage Door hoping to get autographs from mother and daughter but alas we were told that they wouldn't be coming out. However, I did manage to speak to Mr Molesley and Robert Glenister was very generous with signing autographs and chatting to us.

A lovely afternoon!

Contributed by Ann Dalton