An 1840s Mockery of the Upper Crust

Reviewed by Mary Alderson

London Assurance, now on the Festival stage in Stratford, is a delightful romp, which has great fun pointing out the foibles of the upper class. Or maybe they are upper class only in their own minds.

Written by Dion Boucicault, and Anglo-Irishman, in 1841, London Assurance is simply having fun at the expense of those Boucicault saw around him. Even some of the characters’ names are just plain silly: Sir Harcourt Courtly, Richard Dazzle, Constable Samuel Squeezer, Mark Meddle, and my favourite Lady Gay Spanker.

Sir Harcourt Courtly (Geraint Wyn Davies) is a fussy dandy, wearing velvet, lace, and rouge. He thinks his son, Charles Courtly (Austin Eckert) is a hard-working student, but in fact, Charles and his new drinking buddy Richard Dazzle (Emilio Vieira) are just party animals. Sir Harcourt is planning to marry the niece of his friend Max Harkaway (David Collins), the beautiful and young Grace Harkaway (Marissa Orjalo). Her father’s will is forcing her to marry Harcourt to get her inheritance. Everyone goes to Harkaway’s country estate to celebrate the impending nuptials.

Present, among others, are Lady Gay Spanker (Deborah Hay) and her elderly husband Adolphus Spanker (Michael Spencer-Davis). Also present is Constable Samuel Squeezer (Scott Wentworth) who the drunken young men, Charles and Richard are trying to avoid, and a meddling lawyer, named, you guessed it, Mark Meddle (Graham Abbey). Sir Harcourt, the supposed groom, falls for the married Lady Gay Spanker. Suffice to say, an engagement takes place, but you’ll have to see this play for the outcome and all the zany goings-on in between.

Deborah Hay owns the stage as Lady Gay Spanker. Hay’s brilliance as a comedic actor certainly shines here, and she keeps the audience laughing, with both the attention from Sir Harcourt and her elderly husband Adolphus. Geraint Wyn Davies is perfect as the overdone and over-the-top Sir Harcourt Courtly, foppish to the extreme. Michael Spencer-Davis is hilarious as the feeble Adolphus. Graham Abbey is suitably annoying as the nosy lawyer Mark Meddle. The remainder of the cast members are all excellent in their roles, as we see stuffy servants and not-so-intelligent aristocrats.

At times, different characters talk to the audience, thinking out loud or explaining their actions. These little tidbits of information add to the comedy.

Costumes are well done, from Harcourt’s velvet tailcoats, to the ladies’ rustling gowns.

Credit goes to Stratford’s Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino who directed this play for packing it with laughter. London Assurance is lots of fun with some sweet satire. There are even a few naughty bits to keep the audiences’ full attention.

One final comment – I was surprised to see a young couple with a baby a few rows behind us during the matinee of London Assurance. I’ve never seen a baby at the Stratford Festival, or any other theatre, for that matter. Don’t get me wrong, I love babies, but not when they squeal and cry just when Deborah Hay is saying something hilarious. Is this a change in policy? Or were these very special guests?

London Assurance continues in repertory until October 25 at the Festival Theatre, Stratford. Tickets are available at the Stratford Festival at 1-800-567-1600, or check www.stratfordfestival.ca

Photo: Upper: Geraint Wyn Davies as Sir Harcourt Courtly (centre) with from left: Rylan Wilkie as Cool, Graham Abbey as Mark Meddle and David Collins as Max. Lower: Deborah Hay as Lady Gay Spanker and Michael Spencer-Davis as Adolphus Spanker in London Assurance. Photo by David Hou.

London Assurance
By Dion Boucicault
Directed by Antoni Cimolino
Choreography by Adrienne Gould
Performed by Geraint Wyn Davies, Deborah Hay, Austin Eckert, Emilio Vieira, Rylan Wilkie, Marissa Orjalo, Graham Abbey, Michael Spencer-Davis, Thomas Duplessie, et al.
Festival Theatre, Stratford
August 22 to October 25, 2024
Reviewed by Mary Alderson