'The Lady In The Van' review

Malvern Festival Theatre

THE LADY IN THE VAN (Hull Truck Theatre & Richard Jordan Productions)

Teaming up the immense writing talents of Alan Bennett with the epic theatrical skills of Hull Truck Theatre, two of Britain’s biggest creative contributors to the arts for the last half a century, was a stroke of pure genius. This autobiographical tale introduces us to an eccentric character that, literally, pulls up in Alan Bennett’s life one day to become an unavoidable part of his existence for the next fifteen years. This mysterious lady has a deeply profound effect on him and his psyche, both of whom recount these events for us, in their typical Bennett fashion.

Casting Nichola McAuliffe in the eponymous role of the lady in the van was a second stroke of genius. Her performance is exceptional! She gives a masterclass in character acting that puts her up there with two other untouchable theatrical performances, one by Dame Maggie Smith in Bed Amoung The Lentils and the other by Jane Lapotaire in Henry Eighth. Sean McKenzie and Paul Kemp brilliantly match McAuliffe’s performance as the two Alan Bennetts and delightfully capture his nuances and affectations with reassuring truth and believability. The remainder of the cast are perfect in their roles as they drop in and out of this fascinating story and undeniably help make this the superb show it is.

Sarah Esdaile has truly shown her metal here as a wonderfully encouraging director to achieve such incredible performances and help generate a future stage classic. Ben Stones set is utterly enchanting and the final “ascension” is the third stroke of genius. Inspired!

The Lady In The Van is theatre gold or, more appropriately, crushed mimosa… possibly! This is one definitely to see. If you liked The History Boys, you’ll love this! It runs at Malvern Festival Theatre until Saturday. Go and see it!