A Downton Abbey vibe at “The charity that began at home” (Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond)

It seems that the world has gone Downton Abbey mad. Except this play – watching an upper-class family’s attempt at offering hospitality to an assortment of social misfits and undesirables both upstairs and downstairs collapse into social disaster – was written in 1905. My colleague suggested that the play was even better than Downton – is that heresy?

The small in-the-round Orange Tree theatre was set as an Edwardian parlour and the main characters appear in sumptuous costumes – tiny feather fascinators, large bowed hats and swishing skirts pulled in tight at the waist. And fabulous hairstyles.

Lady Denison (Paula Stockbridge) and her saintly daughter Margery (Olivia Morgan) have been persuaded by the dashing Mr Hylton (Damien Matthews) that true hospitality is about inviting those who are neglected by others. General Bonsor
Philip York) is magnificent as a loud, crashing bore. There is rotund and ill-mannered Mrs Horrocks (Rosemary Smith), timid salesman Mr Firket (Michael Kirk), young good-for-nothing but good-looking former soldier Hugh Verreker (Oliver Gomm) and the weird but wonderful German tutor caricature Miss Triggs (Shuna Snow).

Show stealer Mrs Eversleigh (Rebecca Saire) is Lady Denison’s sister-in-law who arrives to point out the danger in taking in undesirables amongst the staff and is proved correct when we hear of what Soames the butler (a small part played well by Christopher Heyward) has done to poor Anson the maid (a credible portrayal by Chloe Rose).

It takes a while for the story to unfold during the first two acts – and I admit that I was having a little trouble concentrating at times. I even wished that I too had some needlework to keep me amused. A rather famous actor (it would be unkind of me to name names) in the audience dozed off once or twice.

The script moves along OK and on occasion there are real gems of quaint dialogue and insight – “foolish entanglement”, “redeeming vices” and “men don’t change – they repent not reform”. I guess we are all used to our entertainment being much more quick fire whereas this was definitely a slow burn.

After the interval, the comedy shifted up a pace with all sorts of unfortunate twistings and turnings making Lady Denison regret her largesse. I found the orchestrated scene change to the dining room act strangely compelling – it was like a ballet. The final scene – where Mr Verreker adopts a truly gentlemanly stance – suggests that perhaps that not all bad folk are entirely without merit. There was some great acting here too and a rather eloquent discourse about what makes a good marriage.

I should imagine that in its time this play caused a bit of a controversy – exposing upper class, condescending and misdirected do-gooding dressed up as charity. It explores the moral questions of whether there is good in everyone and whether people deserve a second chance. So it made us think a little as well as laugh.

The play is running until 4th February and would make an excellent evening out for those who like their costume dramas to be light and their entertainment to be engaging.