West End Theatre - The Family Reunion

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The Review - THEATRE by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
Published: 28 November 2008

Gemma Jones and Samuel West

Chapter and verse of an aristocratic family

THE FAMILY REUNION
Donmar Warehouse

A TWO-MONTH festival celebrating the works of TS Eliot gets under way this week at the Donmar Warehouse with a production of The Family Reunion, first performed in 1938.
Against all the odds, the revival succeeds in spades, reminding again that Eliot’s verse-drama has a Shakespearean clout unrivalled among modern dramatists, even if there’s a lot of gibberish along the way.
The plot takes the standard format: an aristocratic family assemble in their North Country pile for the birthday of the elderly, domineering mother Amy.
Together with her sisters and cousins, she awaits the arrival of her sons.
Favourite son Harry has not been home for eight years. His wife was lost overboard during a cruise in uncertain circumstances and, when he turns up, he’s seeing spirits.
Neat sub-plots emerge, notably arch-rivalry between sisters. Agatha “stole” Amy’s husband years ago and that still rankles badly.
Although there’s a certain period charm to the piece, it’s hard to have much involvement with the aristocratic family living on tithes, rents and investments at a time when the country was emerging from depression and on its way to war.
Hard to take, too, is Eliot’s life-view and its High Anglican emphasis on personal renewal through contrition.
But that’s beside the point in the context of the Eliot verse-drama interwoven with a Greek chorus, superbly directed by Jeremy Herrin.
Most of the roles are exploited to maximum effect with Gemma Jones very much the eminence grise as the domineering Amy; Penelope Wilton (above) as her sister Agatha; and Una Stubs as another sister, Ivy.
The whole performance is driven with manic force by Samuel West, the returning son, delivering some great set speeches with verve.
Until January 10
0870 060 6624

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