The Sacred Flame

The elegance of Somerset Maugham’s writing is undeniable and the themes now timeless in this play from 1928, although then they must have been quite shocking. Part love story, part murder mystery it certainly sets the audience thinking and the company keep the audience in rapt silence throughout, not wanting to miss a word. But as a piece of theatre it is in the words that it fails. Beautiful as they are, the whole is incredibly static, the cast only once or twice making use of the beautiful set. There are moments of indulgence too that make an already long play even longer, some unexplained fans and the cast setting the stage slowly to music. Despite all this I came away having enjoyed the evening, and impressed by Margot Leicester, Robert Demeger and Jamie de Courcey.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 30 October 2012

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