The Country Girl, Richmond Theatre

A mid-week matinee with not a seat left in the house implies that the current pre-West End tour of Clifford Odets' The Country Girl is something to talk about.

The little known play has a great selling point; television co-stars Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove from Judge John Deed have reunited on stage as Frank and Georgie Elgin, a complex married couple in 1950s America.

The Country Girl tells the story of Frank Elgin, once a great star and now a struggling alcoholic, who is given the chance to resurrect his career with a lead role by a young risk-taking director, Bernie Dodd. His long suffering wife, Georgie, is blamed by Dodd for Elgin’s decline when in fact she is his constant source of strength and support.

Both Shaw and Seagrove deserve the hype surrounding their casting. Shaw perfectly captures Frank’s reliance on his wife while portraying his mask of confidence to his director. The mask and repose physically and vocally slipping and culminating in a very emotional breakdown that leaves you in no doubt that Shaw gives his all every night.

Seagrove’s powerful and impenetrable presence as Georgie is rooted in her strong voice and stillness. Aware that she is in a dead-end relationship, her attraction to Bernie (a suitably handsome, fast talking and chain smoking, Mark Letheren) comes as a shock, visibly shaking her composure. The chemistry between Shaw and Seagrove, seasoned on screen, perfectly soars on stage as a couple heading in different directions yet glued together through familiarity and obligation.

Playwright Clifford Odets was an actor himself which brings authenticity to the portrayal of 1950s theatre which is enhanced by director Rufus Norris’ choice to add dialogue and action to the scene changes. The crew, in costumes, chat amongst themselves as stage-hands would whilst transforming the stage. It is a nice touch and keeps the audience firmly in a location and constantly engaged.

With slick direction and a strong supporting cast, The Country Girl will be a must-see when it reaches the West End in October so I advise you to grab a ticket while you can.

The Country Girl runs at Richmond Theatre until August 14 Daniella Gibb