EDINBURGH 2023: Review: THE MITFORDS, TheSpace @ Surgeons' Hall
An erratic one-woman show about the most famous sisters in World War Two England, their contrasting beliefs, and extraordinary lives.
The Mitford family had a fascinating role in history. English aristocrats, they plastered the papers of the 30s and 40s with scandals and polarising choices. The sisters made the name even more infamous with their controversial takes on politics and internal feuds. Gail Louw takes the four, condensing them into a monologue led by Emma Wilkinson Wright and directed by Sarah Lawrie. The background and inspiration are extraordinary, the execution is… less so.
The basic foundations are what engage the audience. Unity was a close friend of Hitler’s, she tried to kill herself when the conflict broke but failed. Diana left her husband and children to marry fascist leader Oswald Mosley. Jessica left England to fight the Spanish Civil War. Nancy became a successful writer and biographer in France. In reality, there were more children in the family, Pamela, Thomas, and Deborah, but they don’t feature prominently in the piece nor in any relevant political way.
What ties down the project is the one-woman aspect of it. Wilkinson Wright is a tremendous actress, but this direction gives her a staged personality disorder. The framing of the play throws it straight into the action; the performer modulates her voice to shape the different women, but the result is messy and unconvincing, especially if one isn’t familiar with this part of history. It’s not exactly the most streamlined solo show at the Fringe, but it’s among the most compelling subjects for sure.
The Mitfords runs at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall on the following dates: 11-12, 14-19 August.
Get Broadway News on WhatsApp
Receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive coverage from Broadway directly in WhatsApp.
|
Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical Gilded Balloon Patter House (8/05-8/29) |
|
Elvis in Chaos Lime Studio at Greenside @ George Street (8/07-8/15) |
|
Spin Cycle Underbelly (Clover) (8/05-8/31) |
|
Copycat Pleasance Dome (Jack Dome) (8/05-8/31) |
|
Man or Bear Summerhall (Red Lecture Theatre) (8/06-8/30) |
|
A STAN IS BORN! – Encore Gilded Balloon Patter House (8/06-8/16) |
|
Glass Child Summerhall (8/06-8/16) |
|
Burce Tutku Tuncali: Perfectly ımperfeckt! Greenside Venues @ George Street , Ivy Studio (8/17-8/22) |
|
Puck Bunnies: A Heated Rivalry Drag Musical Parody Puck Bunnies: A Heated Rivalry Drag Musical Parody (8/05-8/31) |
|
This Is How I Got Arrested (after smuggling drugs across the border but never actually getting caught with any drugs) ZOO (Playground 3) (8/07-8/30) |
Reader Reviews
To post a comment, you must register and login.