REVIEW: THE OLD LADIES at Finborough Theatre until 19 April 2026

Andy Curtis • 28 March 2026


“Brigid Larmour’s claustrophobic production slowly builds up the tension … another great revival at Finborough Theatre “ ★★★★

 

The Old Ladies by Rodney Ackland, based on the novel by Hugh Walpole, finds us in familiar territory. Well sort of. Contemporary plays and novels set in boarding houses (of varying descriptions) between the wars were not uncommon. What marks out THE OLD LADIES is its focus on three older female characters. Despite the seemingly middle-class respectability, the great depression looms over the best tea set.  

 

The cast are excellent in this three-hander. Mrs Amorest (Julia Watson), a widow, has fallen on difficult times since the death of her husband. She lets out two rooms. The lace curtain respectability, brilliantly captured in the set design (Juliette Demoulin), shrouds a genteel poverty and worsening financial situation. Long-term tenant Mrs Payne (Abigail Thaw) is reclusive and bullying. Into this seemingly not out of the ordinary situation walks the nervous Miss Beringer (Catherine Cusack), lonely after the death of her dog and clutching her prized possession – a lump of amber gifted by a friend. 

 

Brigid Larmour’s claustrophobic production slowly builds up the tension. The malevolent Mrs Payne drives the drama. Seemingly weak and housebound, she actually wields a great deal of power, openly showing a little too much interest in Mrs Amorest’s inheritance and Miss Beringer’s prized amber. Thaw is excellent in capturing the psychological power the character holds.

 

Another great revival by the Finborough with a great cast in a play that was successful at the time, but seemingly forgotten and not revived for many decades.   

 

THE OLD LADIES by Rodney Ackland based on the novel by Hugh Walpole

Playing at the Finborough Theare 24 March - 19 April 2026

BOX OFFICE https://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/productions/the-old-ladies

 

Cast

Catherine Cusack

Abigail Thaw

Julia Watson

 

Crew

Directed by Brigid Larmour

Designed by Juliette Demoulin

Sound Design by Max Pappenheim

Lighting Design by Mark Dymock

Costume Design by Carla Joy Evans

Assistant direction by Mark Diaz

Presented by

Andrew Maunder for Aardvark Productions in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre.

 

Photography: Carla Joy Evans