Since 1999

Trusted News & Reviews

25

years

best of british theatre

Official
tickets

Pick
your seats

Since 1999

25 years

Official tickets

Pick seats

REVIEW: Harold and Maude, Charing Cross Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Published on

April 10, 2018

By

pauldavies

Paul T Davies reviews Thom Southerland's production of Harold and Maude at the Charing Cross Theatre.

Patrick Walshe-McBride and Linda Marlowe in Harold and Maude. Photo: Darren Bell Harold and Maude

Charing Cross Theatre

9 April 2018

5 Stars

Book Now The Beast from the East twice scuppered my chances to review the original cast of Harold and Maude, but how relieved am I to finally catch Thom Southerland’s beautifully inventive, funny and moving production at the cast takeover. Probably more well known as the film version, Colin Higgin’s 1974 play explores the growing relationship and love between depressed 19 year old Harold, whose fake suicide attempts are a desperate cry for attention from his society obsessed mother, and Maude, approaching her 80th birthday, who lives each day to the full, experiencing new things, and not tied down by processions or rules. She makes the decision to die on her 80th birthday, feeling that is the right time. Any notions that this is a taboo subject of inter-generational love and sex is swept away in a glorious story of love and living.

Patrick Walshe-McBride and Linda Marlowe in Harold and Maude. Photo: Darren Bell

The central relationship is pitch perfectly performed. Linda Marlowe relishes the role of Maude, exuding a philosophy that may always be against the times, funny and full of life, and encouraging Harold to live as fully as possible. A survivor of the Holocaust, hints of her dark experiences are played with gentle pathos. What was interesting was in seeing how this character type has endured and grown; Maude was probably ahead of her time in the 1970s. But now she is present and strong, her contemporary would be Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie. When she says, “We do not need more walls, we need to build more bridges”, she is confirmed as a heroine of our time. She is matched by Patrick Walshe McBride’s excellent Harold, closed in and disconnected at the beginning, opening up to the widest and warmest of smiles as the play progresses, (reflected in Matt Clutterham’s wonderful lighting design). A beautiful, heart warming relationship convincingly played.

Linda Marlowe as Maude in Harold and Maude. Photo: Darren Bell

As Harold’s mother, Rebecca Caine is wonderfully acerbic,  Joanna Hickman is particularly affective as date number three, an actress, and the very talented Samuel Townsend is scene stealing as Mr. Murgatroyd- a seal that Maude has ‘liberated’ from the zoo! Whilst some of the supporting cast acting is, shall we say a little broad and over the top in places, this matters little as they are all talented musicians of many instruments. And here is the real beauty of the production, the score that links the scenes together, superbly composed by Michael Bruce, underscores and compliments each mood.

Performed on Francis O’Conner’s excellent, Magritte inspired set, Harold and Maude could well turn out to be the sleeper hit of the year. Seriously, if you don’t come out of the theatre determined to live, L-I-V-E, you haven’t been paying attention.

Until 5 May

BOOK NOW FOR HAROLD AND MAUDE

Read more REVIEWS on BritishTheatre.com

The BritishTheatre.com website was created to celebrate the rich and diverse theatrical culture of the United Kingdom. Our mission is to provide the latest UK theatre news, West End reviews, and insights into both regional theatre and London theatre tickets, ensuring enthusiasts can stay up to date with everything from the biggest West End musicals to cutting-edge fringe theatre. We are passionate about encouraging and nurturing the performing arts in all their forms.

The spirit of theatre is alive and thriving, and BritishTheatre.com is at the forefront of delivering timely, authoritative news and information to theatre lovers. Our dedicated team of theatre journalists and critics works tirelessly to cover every production and event, making it easy for you to access the latest reviews and book London theatre tickets for must-see shows.