This play is 53 years old, has been produced in theatres around the world and made into a wonderful film staring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.

I was worried, as I shuffled into our seats that the sea of grey that flooded the stalls was indicative of a dusty old night with the odd chortle. The trio of older ladies sitting directly in front (who if not Cougars then certainly Snow Leopards) were there to see their hero, Christopher Cazenove in the flesh and as soon as the play (not opened but) began, there he was. They sighed in unison.

The whole cast in this feel good comedy looked a darn sight older than the photo’s in the foyer and the program and in fact I thought Liza Goddard must have been replaced by an older understudy, but it was either harsh lighting, good makeup or even harsher reality which brought the faded grandeur to life.  This is a once set play, a huge drawing room of a country house in the early 50’s, full of old bits of wooden furniture, threadbare Persian rugs and bookshelves.

I was charmed, it’s full of romance and archness, hard truths softly spoken, some supremely modern morality and the very British cherishing of tolerance and kindness over selfishness. The story, about a contented married couple, who have to cope, adjust and deal with the fact that a new love interest suddenly arrives for one of them, and the other takes a journey into the heart of love itself. The unconditionality of partnership is touchingly explored and there are some good laughs along the way. Throw in the gift of an expensive (and missing) Mink Coat and you’re all ready.

The romantic interest between Liza Goddard and Jack Ellis was like watching two chintz standard lamps mating and hardly believable. Ms Goddard’s attempt to show ‘love at first sight’ was frankly laughable and also a huge risk in a room so full of wooden objects, it was a surprise that Ellis could find her at all.

The real relationship in this play is in Act Two, where Cazenove and (Sophie) Ward, who carried this play on their perfectly aligned shoulders, giving each other space for warm and a tangible loving relationship to develop and be explored. Ward was also very funny and a delight from the moment she stepped on stage to the moment she left. There is a lot of arch repartee between Cazenove and Ward which it is a delight to sit in front of, and I enjoyed every moment of them playing off each other.

All in all this is a lovely unthreatening piece of English period comedy with a subversive undercurrent  which will charm you  if you don’t rush it.

Run until November, 28, 2009
Theatre Royal, Brighton

www.ambassadortickets.com/1315/664/Brighton/Theatre-Royal-Brighton/The-Grass-Is-Greener