A reviewer once said of
OUR BETTERS, a social comedy by W. Somerset Maugham, “OUR BETTERS is probably
not one of Maugham’s best plays, but that still says quite a lot. Maugham on his worst day was bound to
be better than the average writer on his good one.”
The play, which is a premiere
at Shaw, is being bannered as “perfect for lovers of DOWNTON ABBEY.” Be aware that isn’t quite as
advertised, though both do focus on English lords in financial trouble, who
marry rich American women for their fortunes. While DOWNTON ABBEY takes peeks into the lives of servants
and expands into various settings, OUR BETTERS stays in the drawing rooms and
mainly places the spotlight on American women.
Maugham, who is credited
as being the most profitable of the writers of his time, is the author of such
classics as OF HUMAN BONDAGE, THE MOON AND SIX PENCE, SADIE THOMPSON, and THE RAZOR’S EDGE, his last novel.
OUR BETTERS was first
presented in 1917 and mirrored the ideas of the time, including Maugham’s
slightly hidden belief that Americans should stay out of Britain and mind their
own business.
The play centers on the
early 20th century practice of wealthy American women buying their
way into desirous British society by marrying aristocratic gentleman who had
lost their fortunes, but retained their titles. The women gained pre-identifiers such as “Lady” and “Princess”
in exchange for their money, assumed British accents, and became the envy of
the “folks” back home. Most of these women married for convenience rather than
love. Some of the women took
lovers on the side, as did their husbands.
Records indicate that
over 100 American heiresses found European aristocratic husbands during that
era. Included in this group was
Jennie Jerome, the daughter of a wealthy New York stockbroker, who married Lord
Randolph Churchill, the second son of the Duke of Marlborough. They produced a son named Winston. Yes, that Winston Churchill.
The play’s title comes from the awareness that though the British upper class may
have superior manners, they hardly are “better” than Americans in the matter of
morals. In fact the director in
her program notes, indicates that the Lords and Ladies in this play, prove themselves
to be nothing more than “hustlers.”
It’s the start of the London season when the play
opens at the Mayfair home of Lady Grayston (Pearl), and centers on The Duchess
of Surennes (Minnie) and The Princess della Cercola (Flora), and their attempts
to get Pearl’s sister, the 22-year old Bessie, to hook one of the Brits,
preferably the pleasant enough Lord Bleane. Bessie’s march to the aisle is thwarted by her life-long
friend, American Fleming Harvey, who is in love with Bessie and doesn’t want
her selling out to the man with the highest title. Through a series of delightful scenes, happiness is
achieved, by at least Bessie and Fleming.
Director Morris Panych has a nice touch with the
farcical elements of the script.
He has a strong cast who play it straight, thus achieving the correct
balance that makes the humorous elements work.
Julia Course creates a sensible Bessie, who
finally realizes that the social climbing of her sister and the other Americans
is not for her. Wade
Bogert-O’Brien is on target as the love struck American realist.
Neil Barclay is delightful as the gossiping
Thornton Clay. Laurie Paton
overplays the affected drama queen, Minnie, to perfection, milking the lines
for all the laughs she can get.
Catherine McGregor as Flora and Claire Jullien as Pearl both etch clear
characterizations.
Ben Sanders as Lord Bleane creates a man who, in
spite of his desire to trade his title for money, is really a nice chap.
Ken MacDonald’s set designs are visually breathtaking
and era correct. The third
act Victorian stained glass infused set brought extended applause from the
audience when it was revealed. Charlotte
Dean must have blown the Shaw budget with all of the gorgeous period
costumes. The sets are bathed with
sumptuous lighting by Alan Brodie.
Capsule judgement: OUR BETTERS is a social commentary
that will delight those who like to delve into British social classes. In this case they also get to see
snapshots of Americans trying to be Brits, upper class ones at that.
OUR BETTERS runs through
October 27 in the Royal George Theatre. For
more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.shawfest.com or call 1-800-511-7429.
