Eastbourne's Heritage Productions has every right to be proud of staging this ambitious play which had its premiere in the amphitheatre-like surroundings of Big School Theatre at Eastbourne College.
The dramatisation of the life Madame de Pompadou
r, Louis XV's most famous and enduring mistress as she recalls the ups and downs of French royal life in the mid 18th century, was written by locally based playwright Elizabeth Woodman, with Elaine Montgomerie in the title role.
Wistfully remembering her destiny to be the King's mistress being foretold when only a nine-year-old girl and how her mother did everything in her power to ensure this prophecy came true, despite detractors never letting her forget her bourgeoisie background, Montgomerie's portrayal of the educated, cultured, talented, conceited, besotted and finally usurped royal mistress was tailor-made for this Eastbourne resident actress.
Bringing to the role her many years of experience from around the world she gave a tour de force performance which, appropriately, should ensure that she too 'shall be remembered'.
Set in Madame de Pompadour's magnificent boudoir at the Palace of Versailles, surrounded by an authentic array of repro furniture and gilt-framed paintings, with Madame wearing a stunning collection of elaborate lace and silk dresses wholly worthy of the originals depicted in contemporary paintings, this one-woman play was a triumph of artistic collaboration between writer, actress, director and designer.
In the latter roles the knowledgeable hands of Cathryn and Geoff Parker were consistently evident and ensured a high quality production marred only by the apparent necessity to have a Narrator (Ian Clegg) whose interventions, despite their well-meaning intention, reminded of a long-forgotten history lesson or docu-soap voiceovers.
That apart, it must be hoped that this play so convincingly staged and performed goes on to achieve the success it undoubtedly deserves.
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