Review: Alan Bennett's SINGLE SPIES, Birmingham Rep

Following the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company's successful collaboration with Chichester Festival Theatre in 2015, producing The King's Speech, the two companies have worked together once more to present Alan Bennett's award-winning double-bill. First performed in 1988, Single Spies consists of two plays, An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution; both portrayals of two of the best-known members of the 'Cambridge Five' - the spy ring recruited at Cambridge University in the 1930s.

An Englishman Abroad is a re-telling of a true story, when actress Coral Browne meets Guy Burgess in Moscow, lunches with him on a two single tomatoes, and takes his measurements to order a very English suit from Jermyn Street. As ever, Bennett's writing is sharp, witty and assumes a certain level of intelligence on behalf of the audience. Rather than telling us the full story of Burgess and the 'Cambridge Five', Coral Browne is our narrator, presenting the life of an exile in Moscow.

The clash between England and Russia, Eton and Marxism, order and chaos takes centre stage. Peter Mackintosh's set design combines an imposing stone background, bright red floor and bold images of Stalin, with the eccentric clutter of Burgess' apartment.

Nicholas Farrell is all at once hilarious and endearing as Guy Burgess. Humour is in ready supply with his enthusiastic dance to Jack Buchanan's 'Who Stole My Heart Away' (Burgess' only record), yet Farrell also gives a very touching performance which really emphasises the isolation and loneliness of this very English man marooned in Moscow.

Belinda Lang oozes star quality as Coral Browne, with her superior drawl and elegant body language. Her disdain and shock at Burgess' squalid lifestyle are very amusing (particularly at being forced to repeatedly listen to the music of her ex) and, similarly to Farrell, she highlights the humanity of Bennett's writing with her frank and fair attitude towards Burgess' treason.

The bill is completed by A Question of Attribution, which follows Anthony Blunt: art history professor, Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures and former member of the Cambridge spy ring. Bennett's language is absolutely beautiful, laced with a clever metaphor linking Blunt's concealed espionage with the secrets that can lie beneath the canvas of an old master.

David Robb gives an absorbing performance as Blunt, perfectly treading the fine line between his guarded reserve in front of MI6 investigator Chubb and his inspiring, twinkling demeanour in front of his students. Belinda Lang gives another stellar performance as Her Majesty the Queen; less of a caricature than some and retaining that element of mystique which makes the royal family such a constant source of fascination.

Together, they are a witty and intelligent couple; I particularly enjoyed their conversation about fakes and forgeries, which carries a degree of threat as the Queen alludes to the fact that she knows about Blunt's past as a double agent.

Unlike many of Bennett's other works, it is unfortunate that Single Spies does feel like a product of its time, and the more topical jokes are beyond the comprehension of the younger generation in the audience. However, with language this beautiful and witty, performances this polished, and a subject matter which explores our fascination with spies and royalty, Single Spies is an enjoyable watch.

Photo credit: Alastair Muir

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