REVIEW: THE TRUTH ABOUT BLAYDS by A. A. Milne at Finborough Theatre 9 Sept – 4 Oct 2025

“Why the play has been neglected for so long is a mystery … it is especially timely.” ★★★★ ½

The Finborough has a rich history of unearthing lesser known and forgotten plays. It has repeated the feat once again with The Truth About Blayds, not seen in London since 1921. A. A. Milne’s play appears relatively light-hearted in the first act, as venerated poet Oliver Blayds, one of the last of the living eminent Victorians, celebrates his ninetieth birthday. But events take on a darker tone in the second act, as Blayds’ legacy is called into question.

In the aftermath of World War One, there was a reappraisal of the older generations and of the supposed golden Victorian age, and we see this generational tension here. The play begins with sympathetic critic A. L. Royce (a brilliantly compassionate Rupert Wickham) coming to pay homage to the aging Blayds. But it takes some time before he receives an audience with the man himself. We meet cynical grandchildren, a distracted mother, and a mediocre and sycophantic son-in-law before Blayds (William Gaunt) finally arrives.

Gaunt is convincing as the aging patriarch, tyrannical but haunted by the past, now cared for by his daughter Isobel. Despite his failing health, his grip on multiple generations of the family is absolute. David Gilmore’s direction masterfully navigates the changes in tone and twists and turns of the later acts, whilst Alex Marker’s set and Carla Joy Evans’ costumes provide excellent period detail.

Why the play has been neglected for so long is a mystery, especially due to its popularity at the time. But this classy production is the type of revival that the Finborough specialises in. And it is also especially timely. With Britain questioning its identity and its past, this century old play eviscerating the Victorian era and its so-called great men, unmasking how their success was plundered from others, could not be more relevant today.     

Playing at the Finborough Theare until 4 October 2025: https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/the-truth-about-blayds/  

Produced by Andrew Maunder in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre

Cast

Karen Archer

Oliver Beamish

Catherine Cusack

William Gaunt

Lucy Jamieson

George Rowlands

Rupert Wickham

Production Press Images

Photos by Carla Joy Evans