In this Dick Barton style cheap spy thriller monologue Rebecca Dunn as Times newspaper fashion and gossip columnist Lady Pamela, conjures up a world of high society, smart clothes, Nazis and the abdication of Edward VIII.
It’s a very tongue in cheek narrative, unconsciously snobbish and at first innocent of the rise of Nazism, Lady Pamela becomes a feisty, gutsy heroine of the Second World War, even parachuting behind enemy lines on a mission of national importance.
It’s a wonderful performance as she gets to know but be friends with “that woman” – the King’s mistress Wallis Simpson. Referred to throughout as “the charwoman”, Lady Pamela finds out the details of her affair with “the silly King”.
From the opening scene when she declares “How can people get so worked up at what’s going on in other people’s countries?” she progresses to a patriotic self-awareness which is humane, well-observed and touchingly humorous.
Everyone is defined by the clothes they wear in Lady P’s world and of Wallis she says: “They say she’s a clothes horse but I’d say more horse than clothes.”
One night of passion with her handsome MI5 handler Charlie leads to the amazing revelation: “I can never have children but I try not to think about it.”
When she hears a deadly world-shattering secret from Wallis about the ex-King’s intentions, she is shocked to discover that not only does the British Government already know, but that they plan to cover it up.
And so, her amazing exploits over, she goes off in an air-raid to take shelter.
Playwright Sarah Sigal has created a truly remarkable character who could well have further theatrical outings in other tales .
And in Rebecca Dunn we get a talented creator of many characters who should certainly have a terrific future.
The play, staged by Fluff Productions, runs at the Warren Theatrebox till May 29.
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