Review: Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at Cambridge Arts Theatre
Following in the footsteps of a beloved film stuffed to the brim with national treasures should have been tough. But this production of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Cambridge Arts Theatre was a delight from start to finish.
The story of a group of British pensioners who travel to India for a new life in a retirement hotel charmed cinema-goers with star turns from Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy. It receives a whole new treatment in this updated version of writer Deborah Moggach’s story which started out in 2004 As her novel These Foolish things. There are now rumbles about Zoom calls and worries about wokeness in the new script, but the heart and warmth of the story remain intact.
If you’re wondering whether it is worth seeing the play when you already know the film inside out, the answer is definitely yes as there is plenty to enjoy here with great performances, and a different emphasis on some characters with one becoming much more sympathetic whilst others even change sex.
Even before the show starts, the amazing set designed by Colin Richmond wows audiences. It recreates the courtyard garden and reception area of the Marigold Hotel and perfectly captures the history of the dilapidated building, which has changed from a colonial home to a hotel. The effect is completely immersive.
We are thrown straight into the story with the retirees’ arrival at the hotel and the first half of the play sets up all the character’s problems and foibles.
Hapless Sonny Kapoor (Nishad More) is running the Marigold Hotel with his mother (played by Rekha John-Cheriyan) following the death of his father. Nishad More is sweetly amusing as the frequently-panicking Sonny, often creating some of the show’s bigger laughs.
Rula Lenska takes up the theme of the play - adventure before dementia - with much gusto, declaring she is looking for a man, possibly a rich maharaja, and some fun in her golden years. The Cambridge Arts Theatre audience loved her ribald jokes and she gave an energetic and witty performance as Madge, who has already seen off three husbands.
Meanwhile Marlene Sidaway is hugely sympathetic as former cleaner Muriel whose friendship develops with the cleaner (played by Anant Varman, who also crops up as a call centre worker) and she is drawn out of her gloom when she finally decides to embrace life in India. This version of the character is much more sympathetic and less prejudiced than the role played by Maggie Smith in the movie.
Andy De La Tour was dry and funny as sex-mad Norman, who eventually reveals the heartbreak behind his bravado. He has arrived at the hotel hoping to find a new partner and has been told that Indian women prefer an “older gentleman”. Sadly for him this doesn’t appear to be the case but what he gains instead are new friendships and a new purpose at the hotel.
I loved Eileen Battye as Jean, wife of Douglas, who was unbearably smug as a “seasoned traveller” and perfectly captured the patronising tone of a certain type of Brit abroad.
Paul Nicholas may have said in recent interviews that he is no longer a leading man, but his sensitive performance as Douglas who is slowly falling out of love with his overbearing wife was at the romantic heart of the show. He plays opposite Hayley Mills as Evelyn who starts as a quiet and naive widow but blossoms in confidence after she discovers her skill at telesales and growing feelings for Douglas. The end of their story feels a little rushed, after the slow pace at the start of the show, but with so many characters all needing their own arc there is a lot to explain. The second half fairly races along, with everyone’s tales being properly wrapped up by the end.
The Cambridge run of the play is almost completely sold out, although you may still be able to grab the odd seat if you’re lucky. The show is heading to the West End after this tour where I’ve no doubt it will go down a storm.
