“She is divine”. And so she is. But why does the Duchess keep commenting that Amanda, a young milliner, is divine? We are kept waiting for the answer until we have been introduced to the main characters during the fast moving first scene.

This new translation by Timberlake Wertenbaker of Jean Anouilh’s tragic comedy, Wild Orchids, opens with the arrival of a gypsy quartet, two violins, guitar and piano accordion, jauntily slow-stepping across the stage. The musicians link the scenes throughout and their melodies add a French atmosphere to the general air of fantasy.

The story, set in the chateau and grounds belonging to the Duchess of Pont-au-Bronc in Brittany, is about Prince Albert, the Duchess’s nephew. He is still inconsolable following the death of Leocadia, a beautiful Parisian singer, two years previously. In trying to help, the Duchess (Patricia Routledge) had bought the local bar, ice-cream stand and taxi (complete with bar staff, vendor and driver), and recreated them in the grounds of the chateau. Here, Albert (Andrew Scarborough) daily lives out his fantasy of the three days he had spent with Leocadia, who had loved scarves and always tied one around her neck as they parted each evening but on the last night had tied it so tightly she had strangled herself.

In a final attempt to release Albert from his melancholy the Duchess engages Amanda, Leocadia’s double. Amanda, played beautifully by Catherine Walker, is to help Albert relive the time with his lost love. Amanda however, during an evening in the Blue Danube Bar and much to the consternation of the bar staff, keeps reverting to herself and encourages Albert to recall what actually happened between them during the three fateful days. Albert finally admits that Leocadia had never said she loved him and in fact he could no longer remember her physical features.

And so the Duchess’s plan comes full circle and Albert puts behind him his grief and disappears into the mist with Amanda in a fond embrace.

The play is full of whimsical and eccentric characters. The Duchess, the domineering aunt, is made larger than life by the indomitable Patricia Routledge, pacing about the stage with grand gestures as she converses excitedly about her plan with her dead husband’s portrait. She is supported by Michael Jayston who plays Hector, a relative, who never quite manages to get his word in. The ice-cream vendor, Roland MacLeod, the taxi-driver, Edward Clayton, and David Timson as the head waiter, each add to the fantasy element with excellent comic acting — portraying how happy they are to live in Albert’s make-believe world. The scene changing is excellent and effortless and the colours give a suitable air of unreality. Despite being a happy play the author explores the fine line between happiness and sadness, showing how easily grief can turn to obsession despite the love of concerned relatives.

This is a well presented, inventive and playful production to be highly recommended for those who enjoy an evening of light entertainment. © JMB

“Wild Orchids” is at the Festival theatre Chichester from the 29th of May until the 20th of July, 2002.