Following a very successful run of The Actress, we have received very good reviews.
Madeleine Burton, former News Editor of The Hertfordshire Advertiser, and reviewing in a private capacity, said:
“What does an acclaimed actress do when she faces the final curtain – act like a diva or fall apart at leaving the world of the theatre and its approbation?
Breakaway’s production of Peter Quilter’s play The Actress, which is being performed at the Maltings Arts Theatre in St Albans, is very funny in parts but does not shrink from the poignancy when a long theatrical career ends.
And that makes for a very watchable production which cleverly includes a play within a play as acclaimed actress Lydia Martin says her farewell to audiences in a couple of scenes from Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard.
We meet Lydia in her dressing room as she prepares for her swansong with the help of her composed dresser, Kathryn, a controlled performance by Clare Waller. And before Lydia even goes on stage, she is visited by her randy former husband Paul, her decrepit soon-to-be new husband, Charles, her daughter Nicole, theatre manager Margaret and last but by no means least, her larger-than-life agent Harriet.
All five characters add plenty to the production. Paul, played by Malcolm Coakley, demonstrates perfect timing as he trots out one-liners about his sexual prowess. And David Martin as Charles plays up his role as the wealthy old banker, bent over his stick, for whom every trip upstairs to see Lydia is an ordeal in itself – cue plenty of jokes about his chances of survival. Ruth Ling as Nicole and Louise Warner as Margaret immerse themselves in their roles, and Shelley Healy is a hoot as Harriet, particularly as she drinks herself stupid trying to come up with a farewell speech for Lydia.
But fittingly, as she plays the leading lady, the real star of the production is Elaine Hartless as Lydia. The mistress of the withering look, she effortlessly comes out with one-liners, dominates every scene – and she is in nearly all of them – yet still manages to convey the genuine sadness of an actress who has played roles for so long that she does not know who she really is.
She also has to play Lubov in The Cherry Orchard and give a farewell speech to the audience on her last night. It is an incredibly demanding role, and Elaine acts it very impressively.
The production is directed by Lesley Cowland and her experience and vision are very much in evidence in the split stage and well-appointed dressing room complete with numerous bouquets.”
© 2026, Madeleine Burton
Deborah Heath of The St Albans Times, said:
“The cast of seven are a strong team and I was pleased to see many familiar Breakaway faces.”
You can read the whole Review HERE.
Nova Horley, NODA, said:
“A very true-to-life interpretation of an actress coping with her final performance, so many references that rang bells! I enjoyed the play, the way the actors interacted with each other and the various relationships.”
The rest of the Review is HERE.