THE MARQUISE is a rarely performed Noël Coward play from 1927 (follow link to the review). Rare? Barely even heard of. This is its first outing in 22 years. Noël Coward wrote it as an 18th century costume drama, and admitted it was really just a 1920s play with costumes added. This production sets it in the 1930s and removes the wigs and long skirts and does the underlying play it always was.
The critics said not a lot because they didn’t go to see it. It’s a constant complaint. They can shift themselves to a tiny theatre in London, like the Menier Chocolate Factory or the Donmar Warehouse, but they won’t come out to see a touring play that left large happy audiences in Windsor, Bath, Oxford, Guildford, and next week, Cambridge. This is real theatre at your local playhouse, at prices normal people can afford. They’re also theatres where you can get a seat without being a ‘friend’ and buying tickets six or nine months before. It’s not a lost masterpiece by any means, but it is good entertainment.
Peter Viney's Blog 