Stage: The Mistress

Award winning Nicola Haydn directs a one woman Arnold Wesker play at award winning Upstairs at Three & Ten

Otherplace Productions are presenting The Mistress, a one-woman comic play by Arnold Wesker. Wesker is one of the world’s greatest living playwrights and recently his work The Kitchen was revived at the National Theatre. Most famous for his trilogy, Wesker has always been a passionately motivated writer with strong political feelings and a gritty edge.

Few people are aware that Wesker, now in his 80th year, spends half his time at his home close to Hay on Wye and winters here in Hove. So why then have we not seen more of his work on Brighton’s many stages?
Now Nicola Haydn will direct Wesker’s The Mistress with Jo Merriman performing in the title role of Samantha. Samantha is a fashion designer. Her lover is married – and married to her best friend. Fearful that the affair will end, she drinks the night away in her studio, awaiting his call. With no one to confide in but her mannequins, she charges through an array of emotions, from sadness and guilt to self-righteousness and anger.

The Mistress is a witty and perceptive masterpiece from one of our greatest living dramatists and patron of Upstairs At Three And Ten. Wesker has always been noted for his extraordinary ability to voice female characters and this 1988 play is no exception. A long overdue production which one can only hope will prompt more local interest in the work of this dramatic genius.

17, 18, 20 January, 8pm, 21 January 5pm, Upstairs at Three and Ten, 10 Steine Street, Brighton, £9/£7, available at www.upstairsatthreeandten.co.uk