Three centuries on from the restoration of the British monarchy it’s no surprise that Restoration comedies don’t enjoy the attention of production companies or extended stays in the seasonal schedules of major theatres. Based on the Crucible’s staging of The Way of the World, they should.
Sticking with William Congreve’s original script, despite some worthwhile ventures into the contemporary, director Lyndsey Turner and a wonderful cast stage a marvelous display of everything that makes Restoration comedy still accessible and hugely enjoyable.
Displaying all the tropes of debauchery, cuckolding and verbal jousting, The Way of the World sees the desirous ploys of the handsome Mirabell (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) clash with the equally complex schemes of his counterparts Fainall (Leo Bell) and Marwood (Daisy Lewis) in their quest for love, but more importantly, fortune. The result is two and a half hours of snaking plot played with enough humour to have you ‘laughing like a chorister at a christening’.
Amongst a youthful yet seasoned cast it is very difficult to pick out any stand-alone performances, speaking for the brilliance and sheer quality brought to the stage by Sarah Bird’s casting. Despite a typically difficult restoration plot, there is more than enough skill present to both keep the audience on board whilst keeping the comedy at the forefront.
Mention must however be given to Deborah Findley’s Jennifer Saunders-esque portrayal of the delightfully ignorant Lady Wishfort which is on a par with Samuel Barnett’s absolutely fabulous depiction of the foppishly camp ‘weathercock’ Witwoud.
The cast’s performance was further embellished by Naomi Wilkinson’s minimal set design, which drew attention to the action and script whilst remaining decadent and authentic enough to give the production a sense of historical setting. Similarly the gamble to set thoroughly contemporary costume and song against the set was enormously successful – never would I have thought I would most enjoy Lady Gaga’s ‘Edge of Glory’ in the confines of an 18th century romp.
The Way of the World won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for an evening of light-hearted yet less current entertainment you will be hard-pressed to beat it.