THE Vortex is the play that established Noel Coward as both a playwright and as an actor. The story is set in the roaring 20's' and concentrates on drug abuse and how the war had left a generation of widows and spinsters who had begun to take younger lovers.
A scandalous play back in 1924 when it was first granted a licence by the Advisory Board, you'll find, even in this apparently unshockable modern era, it still has plenty of surprises for you.
The story is set around Florence Lancaster, played by Felicity Kendal, a glamorous society beauty who is refusing to grow old gracefully and takes a string of younger lovers although she is still married to the long suffering David Lancaster.
Florence is forever surrounded by her society friends and they all have a fabulous time drinking cocktails, smoking cigarettes, dancing and going to the theatre. Florence's son Nicky (Dan Stevens) arrives back in London from Paris and Florence is delighted but she soon finds out he is engaged to the quite dull and sensible Bunty.
She is immediately jealous that another woman has his attention. When her own younger lover Tom kisses Bunty everything spirals out of control and many a skeleton comes flying out of the proverbial cupboard.
The set designer Alison Chitty uses simple props, a desk, sofa, wooden door and of course Florence's essential telephone to create the Mayfair flat. To create the Grand Country House she uses a wooden staircase, a grand piano,cocktails and of course the extreme popularity of cigarettes. The costumes are 1920's glamour with flowing dresses, t-bar shoes and velvet jackets.
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Felicity Kendal is beautiful, funny and plays the charmingly selfish Flor-ence Lancaster brilliantly. Her son Nicky is played by Dan Stevens who I thought was overshadowed by Felicity Kendal in every scene. The character of Nicky was something of a let down. After all Noel Coward wrote this part for himself and I saw no flamboyancy in him at all. Also, I found it hard to believe he was a tormented soul struggling with a drug habit.
Other performances by Annette Badland, Barry Stanton and Phoebe Nicholls were outstanding.
This play is funny, fast-paced and exploits the wonderful language that Noel Coward was famous for, to the limit. It is a truly darling play.
The Vortex is on at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1V 7HD until June 7 2008, Tube: Piccadilly Circus Tel: 0870 8300 200.
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