A double-bill by Alan Bennett. Read more …
An Englishman Abroad begins with actress Coral Browne in a Moscow theatre dressing room in 1958, dealing with an inebriated visitor. The face seems familiar, he’s English, upper-class . . . only later, when a note is slipped under her door, does she discover that the drunk was the disgraced spy Guy Burgess. Subsequently invited to dine at his Moscow flat, she arrives armed only with his instruction to “bring a tape measure”.
Funny, touching and perceptive, An Englishman Abroad explores the life of a very British double-agent coming to terms with exile.
A Question Of Attribution follows Sir Anthony Blunt, revered art historian and Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures, as he fends off some difficult questions from The Man From The Ministry, whilst investigating the authenticity of one the monarch’s Titians. A chance encounter with HMQ prompts a dangerous discussion of fakery – does Her Majesty suspect that her loyal subject may not be quite what he seems?
Witty, razor-sharp, full of secrets, A Question Of Attribution reveals the shadows that lurk behind even the most familiar of facades.
With all of his characteristic humour and intelligence, Alan Bennett delves into the murky world of espionage, forgery and double-lives in this brilliant, Olivier Award-winning double bill.
Single Spies is assuredly confident in delivery and smooth as silk in scenic changes.
Despite the best efforts of director Richard Baron’s production, which is handsomely designed and crisply acted, the play, like a rubber duck, floats gently on the surface with little, if anything, going on below the water level.
Richard Baron’s Pitlochry production begins in fine style, with a cracking rendition of An Englishman Abroad, Bennett’s fine 1983 piece...there’s a distinct loss of pace and energy in the second half, though, as the same company – led by a magnificent and highly amusing Basienka Blake, as Coral Browne and the Queen – launch themselves into A Question of Attribution.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry from Thursday June 13, 2013, until Saturday October 19, 2013. More info: www.pitlochry.org.uk
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