THE MARQUISE @ THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR

🎭 The Marquise

📍 Theatre Royal Windsor, 32 Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS

🗓 Monday 1st June 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

A 1930s FACELIFT FOR FARCE!

There is something utterly magical about Windsor on a warm early summer evening. Strolling up toward the Theatre Royal, you can’t help but feel the weight of history in the air, and yet there’s this distinct, buzzy energy that makes it the absolute perfect home for a bit of classic theatre. The venue itself, with its gorgeous, intimate, historic charm, feels less like a sterile modern space and more like an extension of the play’s own aristocratic world. You are drawn right into the room with the characters before a single line is even spoken.

Noël Coward’s THE MARQUISE is, at its heart, a deliciously tangled web of old flames and family secrets. The plot kicks off with the straight-laced Count trying to broker a respectable marriage for his rather rebellious daughter, only for his beautifully chaotic former lover, the Marquise Eloise, to rock up unannounced and blow the whole plan to pieces.

Now, what Theatre Royal Windsor and Bill Kenwright Ltd have done with this production is nothing short of genius. They’ve yanked the action out of its original 1730s powdered-wig setting and dropped it squarely into the 1930s - right around the era Coward was actually writing it. What does this mean for us? It means the stiff, dusty museum-piece vibes are out, and a sleek, fast-paced, high-society comedy energy is in.

And oh, does it work. By the time we hit Act 2, a truly delicious twist drops that flips everything on its head, and the show becomes laugh-out-loud funny. Coward's signature biting wit is sharp enough to cut glass here, and the audience was absolutely eating it up.

As soon as the curtain rose, I was completely struck by the sheer opulence of the set by Colin Falconer. He manages to deliver all the grand, imposing scale of a French château while perfectly capturing the sleek, geometric sophistication of the 1930s Art Deco style. What’s brilliant is that there actually isn’t a massive amount of physical furniture or props cluttering the stage, but it simply doesn't matter; the clean lines and perfectly chosen furnishings say everything they need to. Falconer’s costume designs are equally impeccable - pure, unadulterated period glamour that drapes beautifully and anchors the characters perfectly in their newfound decade.

The cast is a total embarrassment of riches, and watching them work together is a masterclass in ensemble acting. Simon Shepherd is the ultimate safe pair of hands in the theatre, and as the tightly wound, easily flustered Raoul, he is marvellous. He plays the exasperated aristocrat with a brilliant mix of stiff dignity and utter desperation. His onstage chemistry and brittle relationship with Tristan Gemmill’s wonderfully jovial Esteban is a joy to watch. Gemmill brings a relaxed, robust charm to the Duke, and the two bounce off each other with the effortless precision of a seasoned comedy duo, trading Coward's lightning-fast barbs with impeccable comic timing.

But then, Juliet Aubrey enters. As Eloise, she doesn’t just walk on - she bursts into the action, completely stealing the limelight and holding the entire theatre in the palm of her hand. Aubrey’s interpretation of the Marquise is a triumph. She plays her with a fierce, independent, and flirtatious spark that makes it impossible to look anywhere else when she's on stage. She balances the character's razor-sharp intellect with a glamorous, mischievous warmth that makes you fully understand why these men are still completely under her spell after all these years.

What makes this production so special, though, is that absolutely everyone in the cast, whether they had a massive role or just a few scenes, really made their mark and fully inhabited their characters. Eva O’Hara was pure sunshine as the defiant Adrienne, lighting up the stage every time she spoke and bringing a wonderfully modern, headstrong determination to the young heroine. Martin Carroll was wonderfully studious and grounded as Father Clement, providing the perfect sober, dry contrast to the family chaos spinning around him. Barnaby Tobias made the betrothed Miguel gloriously likeable, playing the young man with a sweet, earnest vulnerability that won the audience over immediately. Alongside them, Albie Marber put in a stellar, sharp performance as the flighty secretary, Jacques, bringing a frantic, romantic energy to his secret love affair.

Even the staff in the château household were brilliant standouts. As the maid, Alice, Holly Smith displayed a wonderful, sharp comedic edge that honestly put me in mind of a young Julie Walters - absolute scene-stealing stuff every time she went up or down the stairs. Alongside her, Lee Peck was brilliant as Hubert, hitting all the right notes as the long-suffering, loyal servant trying to maintain order while his master's world crumbles around him.

The real triumph of the evening is how the show builds its momentum. Philip Wilson’s direction feels incredibly natural and, at times, delightfully whimsical, allowing the comedy elements to grow substantially during Act 2 as the stakes get higher and the secrets spill out. It is a deeply engaging, beautifully paced piece of theatre.

By the time the final curtain fell and I stepped out of the theatre - into a surprising, yet very welcome and cooling summer rain - I was in absolutely no doubt. This production is just flawless and deserves to receive a triumphant, glittering five stars.

I would even go so far as to say that this is the best overall production I have personally seen at Theatre Royal Windsor. If you want to check it out for yourself, it's playing until Saturday 6th June. CLICK HERE to check availability and to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair, and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of The Marquise was gifted by ANRPR who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Juliet Aubrey as The Marquise Eloise de Kestournel; Simon Shepherd as Raoul de Veriaac; Tristan Gemmill as Esteban El Duco de Santaguano; Eva O'Hara as Adrienne; Albie Marber as Jacques Rijar; Barnaby Tobias as Miguel; Martin Carroll as Father Clement; Lee Peck as Hubert; Holly Smith as Alice

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 10 minutes, including interval

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