Cause Celebre at the Old Vic

Cause Celebre is Terence Rattigan’s final play, based on the true story of Alma Rattenbury and her young lover going to trial, in the 1930s, for the murder Rattenbury’s aging husband. A fictional element added to the story is of one of the jurors at the trial, Edie Davenport. We are deftly shown the different lives of these two central women through the course of the play.

Anne-Marie Duff in the leading role of Alma Rattenbury is in fine form, obviously enjoying the portrayal of a rather hedonistic character but infusing her with sentiment and deep thought at relevant moments.  I was also very impressed by Niamh Cusack as the rather repressed Edie Davenport, looking quite dowdy next to her gregarious friend Stella and so full of moral judgment at the outset of the trial. As interesting twist is the comparison between fictional Edie’s son, Tony (Freddie Fox), and Alma’s young lover George (Tommy McDonnell). Two young boys of rather similar age but totally different in terms of class and life experience.

This is an excellent play – fabulous cast and acting and a very good set. The use of lighting during the courtrooms scenes is spot on. There are moments to laugh and moments to reflect – go see it if you can!