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8 September 2025
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3***1/2
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This is something of a coup for the Manor Pavilion Theatre – while ‘The Cottage’ had its first production in the USA in 2013, it took ten years to reach Broadway – it took another 12 years to reach these shores, for this is its UK premiere.
Billed as something of a homage to the comedies of Noel Coward, this is my first introduction to the works of the American writer Rustin. Two brothers are involved in illicit affairs with each other’s wives – one of whom is pregnant – when they meet up in the cottage owned by their mother, confusion reigns as another lover (of one of the brothers) arrives and declares her newly divorced ex-husband is a serial killer on his way to commit murder. It is of course quite ludicrous as mayhem is followed by further revelations until the conclusion is reached.
As has been the case this summer, the sumptuous set – the interior of a characterful country cottage, complete with wonderful peacock-design wallpaper – is utterly gorgeous and a exquisite combination of design, construction and dressing. The play begins with what might be mistaken for a scene from Coward’s ‘Private Lives’; a nightwear-clad couple indulge in gentle banter, teasing and love-making, things then change direction in what seems rather more racy than ‘The Master’ might have committed to paper.
Throughout, the dialogue is punctuated by one-liners and pithy interplay which mostly works, though at times, the jokes seem to be a little forced and the wit which Coward created is just not there, as a result, the laughter doesn’t linger. The major issue is that the play doesn’t quite know what it wants to me, at times a light comedy of manners, a sex comedy, a satire or a farce – which it descends into from time to time. It is most certainly fun and the gradually revelations along the way are very amusing, the secret it not to take it too seriously and despite the comparisons, it is not Noel Coward. Somehow you just know, despite its setting, this isn’t written by someone from England.
That all said, director Ellie Chadwick ensures there are few pauses for breath in order to keep the audience chuckling throughout. She is blessed with a youthful cast of the highest calibre; Sidmouth audiences are spoiled here – all those on stage are actors of great skill and even though the play is not one of the best, they squeeze every ounce of verbal and physical comedy from it. Rosie Edwards is dazzling as Sylvia, strident, powerful and in gorgeous costumes, she commands matters from the off. As her lover, Beau, Charlie Bryant, once again, displays his comic abilities with impeccable timing and suave persona. Holly Ashman is always a joy to watch and here, sporting a ‘bump’, she is right on form as Marjorie with the sharpest of tongues. Beau’s brother, Clarke, is given a wonderful physicality by Alfie French – his, somewhat absurd, dance routine is comedy gold. Beau’s other lover, Dierdre, has further secrets to reveal, and Katherine Dodds’ child-like persona and petulance is beautifully played. As the ‘serial killer’ Richard, Sam McInnerny is perfectly cast; his Coward-like delivery when flirting with Sylvia is completely on point – he is very funny. It is a great ensemble and it is worth mentioning that Bryant, French and Dodds all graduated from Emil Dale Academy a few years ago, as did Jake Seabrooke (recently seen in ‘See How They Run’ and ‘Murder in the Dark’) – their tutors included two of this season’s directors, Jonathan Hunt and Jason Marc-Williams. What a privilege to see such talent at work in Sidmouth.
While there are reservations about the script, the plot is wonderfully silly and convoluted and is definitely entertaining and just when you think it is over, someone else knocks at the door…….
Undemanding, entertaining and splendidly performed, you could do worse than spending an evening at ‘The Cottage’.
‘The Cottage’ continues until 13 September and the 2025 Summer Play Festival concludes with a (not too serious) version of a classic story; ‘Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery’ by Ken Ludwig runs from 15-20 September. Box Office – manorpavilion.com or 01395 514413
Cast
Sylvia – Rosie Edwards
Beau – Charlie Bryant
Marjorie – Holly Ashman
Clarke – Alfie French
Dierdre – Katherine Dodds
Richard – Sam McInnerny
Also featuring; Rhys Cannon
Creatives
Writer – Sandy Rustin
Director – Ellie Chadwick
Set Design – Andrew Beckett
Costume Designer – Jan Huckle
Lighting Design – Chris Jackson, Will Tippet,
Sound Design – James Prendergast
Set Builder – Rhys Cannon
Stage Manager – James Prendergast
Set Assistant – Dominic McChesney
Artistic Director – Paul Taylor-Mills
Associate Producer – Andrew Beckett
