Relative Values (2013, 2014)

Synopsis The Production Photographs Reviews


Synopsis

There is consternation at Marshwood House when the young Earl announces he is to marry a Hollywood film actress…but the family is well and truly flummoxed when it comes to light that the starlet’s sister is none other than Moxie, the Earl’s mother’s maid. In an attempt to cope with this deeply embarrassing situation, Moxie is dressed up in her ladyship’s cast-offs as the aristocratic family endeavours to pass her off as one of their own.

Text from Theatre Royal, Bath

Synopsis of each scene from Wiki

Relative Values

Relative Values is a three-act comedy by Noël Coward. It opened at the Savoy Theatre on 28 November 1951, after a short provincial tour, and ran until 17 January 1953. It was directed by Noel Coward.

Relative Values is set in the 1950s, at Marshwood House, East Kent.

Act Scene
Act I Scene I Saturday afternoon
Scene II Two hours later
Act II Scene I Before dinner
Scene II After dinner
Act III The following morning
Information from Wikipedia


The Production

Announcements and Publicity:

An article by director, Trevor Nunn, on his thoughts on reviving the play. Published in The Telegraph, 6 June, 2013. Also, the press release.

Relative Value external

London Poster, outside Harold Pinter Theatre
Photo: Clare Juland, with permission
relativevalueslondonsideA

London Flyer
Relative Values Flyer 2

Another London Flyer

Performances and Venues:

Sessions were approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, with one minute interval. Tickets were available through ATG outlets. Producer: Theatre Royal Bath Productions. The production premiered in Bath in 2013, and transferred to London about 12 months later.

Venue Dates Session Times Prices
Theatre Royal, Bath
Sawclose
Bath
BA1 1ET
Wednesday, 12 June to Wednesday, 29 June, 2013.
Previews from: 12 June, 2003
Press Night: Wednesday, 19 June, 2013, 7pm
Audio-described 27 June 2.30pm.
Post-show Discussion 27 June 7.30pm.
Monday to Saturday 7.30pm
Thursday Matinees: 20, 27 June 2.30pm
Saturday Matinees: 15, 22, 29 June 2.30pm
£20.50 to £36.50
Theatre Royal, Brighton
New Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 1SD
Monday, 1 July to Saturday, 6 July, 2013.

Monday to Saturday 7:45pm
Thursday and Saturday Matinees 2:30pm
£15.00 to £42.50
Richmond Theatre
The Green
Outer London
Greater London
TW9 1QJ
Monday, 8 July to Saturday, 13 July, 2013. Monday to Saturday 7:30pm
Wednesday and Saturday Matinees 2:30pm
£15.00 to £42.50
Harold Pinter Theatre
(formerly the Comedy Theatre)
Panton Street
West End
Greater London
SW1Y 4DN
19th March to 21st June, 2014.
Press Night: 14th April 2014 7:00pm
Monday to Saturday 7:30pm
Thursdaysday and Saturday Matinees 2:30pm
£20.00. To £55.00
relative values london (2)

London Programme
THEATRE-PROGRAMME-NOEL-COWARDS-RELATIVE-VALUES-RORY-BREMNER

Richmond Programme

Cast and Creatives:

The casting announcement, confirming Steven’s involvement.

Further information:
Steven will play Peter Ingleton, the Countess of Marshwood’s witty and sophisticated nephew.

In play text, Peter Ingleton is introduced early in Act I, and is described as “anywhere between thirty-five and fifty. He is impeccably dressed and has a quizzical gleam in his eye.”

Relative Values, A Light Comedy in Three Acts by Noel Coward,
Heinemann, London, 1952, page 8.

Colin Firth played the role on film in 2000, and described the character as, “Peter basically spends his time hanging around the place. He’s a harmless mischief-maker who enjoys the crisis that’s unfolding and he treats it all as a bit of a game.”

Colin Firth, 23 August, 2000. Reference.

Peter Ingleton’s voyeur-like role is thought by some to be based on the character of Noel Coward.

Reference.

A stellar cast launches the Summer Season 2013 when three of Britain’s most popular comedy performers join forces in one of Noël Coward’s most successful comedies. Set in the early 1950s, Relative Values is about the uproarious culture clash between the glittering world of Hollywood and the stiff upper lip of the English aristocracy.

Patricia Hodge’s extensive stage work ranges from Dandy Dick to His Dark Materials. She won an Olivier Award for Money at the National Theatre. Her television credits include The Life And Loves Of A She-Devil, Jemima Shore Investigates and Rumpole Of The Bailey. She plays Miranda’s mother in Miranda.

Caroline Quentin’s many television roles have ranged from Blue Murder, Life of Riley, Life Begins, Men Behaving Badly, Kiss Me Kate and Jonathan Creek to Stephen Poliakoff’s Dancing on the Edge. Amongst her numerous awards she has twice won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress.

Rory Bremner, one of the UK’s leading impressionists and comedians, known for Bremner, Bird and Fortune and the award-winning Rory Bremner…Who Else? will be making his drama debut.

They will be joined by Steven Pacey, Olivier-nominated for By Jeeves, Katherine Kingsley, Olivier-nominated for Piaf and Singing in the Rain and Ben Mansfield, who will be remembered by Bath audiences as Hotspur in Peter Hall’s five star productions of Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 in the 2011 Peter Hall Season.

Trevor Nunn is one of the UK’s leading theatre, film and television directors. He has been Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. His extensive repertoire includes the musicals Cats and Les Misérables, for which he won Tony Awards, and the Olivier Award-winning Summerfolk, The Merchant of Venice, Troilus and Cressida and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

Text from Theatre Royal, Bath

Major cast changes:
Katherine Kingsley played Miranda Frayle for Bath, Richmond and Brighton; Leigh Zimmerman took this role in London.
Rory Bremner played Crestwell, the Butler, for Bath, Richmond, Brighton and London until Neil Morrissey took over the role from 26 May, 2014 in London.

CAST CHARACTER
Patricia Hodge Felicity,
Countess of Marshwood
Caroline Quentin Moxie
(Dora Moxton)
Rory Bremner
(Neil Morrissey
26 May – 21 June
London)
Crestwell
Steven Pacey Hon. Peter Ingleton
Amanda Boxer. Lady Cynthia Hayling
Timothy Kightley Admiral Sir John Hayling
Sam Hoare Nigel,
Earl of Marshwood
Katherine Kingsley
(Bath, Richmond, Brighton)
Leigh Zimmerman
(London)
Miranda Frayle

Ben Mansfield Don Lucas
Rebecca Birch Alice
CREATIVES
Writer Noel Coward
Director Trevor Nunn
Designer Stephen Brimson Lewis
Lighting Design Tim Mitchell
Sound Design Fergus O’Hare
Music Consultant Steven Edis
Projections Andrzej Goulding
Associate Director Michael Oakley


Photographs

Space dictates that we have only included photos featuring Steven Pacey.

Production Photographs:

Jane Hobson took the production photographs for Relative Values.

These pictures were taken in Bath, on the 17th – 19th June 2013:

Jane Hobson

Timothy Kightley (Admiral Sir John Hayling), Amanda Boxer (Lady Cynthia Hayling), Steven Pacey (Peter Ingleton), Rory Bremner (Crestwell), Patricia Hodge (Felicity, Countess of Marshwood), Caroline Quentin (Moxie, the housemaid). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Jane Hobson

Timothy Kightley (Admiral Sir John Hayling), Amanda Boxer (Lady Cynthia Hayling), Steven Pacey (Peter Ingleton), Rory Bremner (Crestwell), Patricia Hodge (Felicity, Countess of Marshwood), Caroline Quentin (Moxie, the housemaid). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Jane Hobson

Patricia Hodge (Felicity, Countess of Marshwood), Steven Pacey (Peter Ingleton), Rory Bremner (Crestwell, the butler), Sam Hoare (Nigel, Earl of Marshwood), Katherine Kingsley (Miranda Frayle) and Ben Mansfield (Don Lucas). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Jane Hobson

Patricia Hodge (Felicity, Countess of Marshwood), Caroline Quentin (Moxie, the housemaid), Steven Pacey (Peter Ingleton) and Rory Bremner (Crestwell, the butler). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Jane Hobson

Patricia Hodge (Felicity, Countess of Marshwood), Steven Pacey (Peter Ingleton), Ben Mansfield (Don Lucas), Katherine Kingsley (Miranda Frayle) and Sam Hoare (Nigel, Earl of Marshwood). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Jane Hobson

Patricia Hodge (Felicity, Countess of Marshwood), Steven Pacey (Peter, The Honourable Peter Ingleton), Rory Bremner (Crestwell, the butler), Sam Hoare (Nigel, Earl of Marshwood), Katherine Kingsley (Miranda Frayle) and Ben Mansfield (Don Lucas). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Jane Hobson took another set of rehearsal photographs for Relative Values on the 26 March with the updated West End cast, including this one of Steven Pacey:

Steven Pacey

Relative Values

Rory Bremner, Patricia Hodge, Steven Pacey and Caroline Quentin
Photograph: © Jane Hobson, used with permission.

And a whole collection of photographs featuring Leigh Zimmerman, similar to the one shown:
Relative Values

All photographs above are © Jane Hobson, who has kindly let us display them. They are all available for purchase at her website.

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Patricia Hodge, Steven Pacey, Ben Mansfield, Leigh Zimmerman, Sam Hoare
Photograph: © Jane Hobson, published in The Times

relative values 2

Patricia Hodge, Steven Pacey, Ben Mansfield, Leigh Zimmerman, Sam Hoare
Photograph: © Jane Hobson, published in The Telegraph, 20 April

Photographer, David Benett, was in the press crowd for the Relative Values press night on 14 April, 2014. The result, some great curtain call photographs! They are available for purchase from Getty Images.

Click Here for:
Steven Pacey (Peter Ingleton) and Rory Bremner (Crestwell, butler).

Click Here for:
Amanda Boxer, Sam Hoare, Steven Pacey, Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin, Rory Bremner, Leigh Zimmerman and Ben Mansfield.

Three similar photographs:
Click Here
and Here
and Here for:
Sam Hoare, Steven Pacey, Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin, Rory Bremner, Leigh Zimmerman.

Click Here for:
Steven Pacey, Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin, Rory Bremner.

Rehearsal Photographs:

First Run Through was June 5, 2013 (Tweet from Ben Mansfield). Technical and dress rehearsals from Monday, June 9. (Tweets from Caroline Quentin and Ben Mansfield).

A cast photo of the tech run from Rory Bremner:

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From ATG Tickets


Reviews

Professional Reviews – Bath

“and there’s a delightful scene-stealing turn from Steven Pacey as Peter, the Countess’s nephew.”

Natasha Tripney, The Stage

“and Steven Pacey as Felicity’s nephew, Peter, providing the other half of a strong comic quartet”

Elizabeth Davis, The Independent

“Felicty, Countess of Marshwood, is played by the brilliant Patricia Hodge who delivers the sharp wit of Noel Coward with exquisite precision. Along with Steven Pacey as her on-stage nephew, The Honourable Peter Ingleton, the pair provide a class-act. ”

Richard Loftus, ThePublicReviews.com

“Steven Pacey is charmingly droll as the Countess’s lounging nephew, Peter.”

Kate Bassett, The Independent
DATE SOURCE REVIEWER STAR RATING
23 June, 2013
Bath
The Observer Clare Brennan not rated
22 June, 2013
Bath
The Independent Kate Bassett ***
22 June, 2013
Bath
The Guardian Lyn Gardner **
21 June, 2013
Bath
The Express Neil Norman ****
21 June, 2013
Bath
The Times
(only by subscription)
Libby Purves ****
20 June, 2013
Bath
The Independent Elizabeth Davis ***
20 June, 2013
Bath
The Stage Natasha Tripney not rated
19 June, 2013
Bath
The Telegraph Charles Spencer ****
19 June, 2013
Bath
Blackmore Vale Magazine not rated
19 June, 2013
Bath
ThePublicReviews.com Richard Loftus ***

Amateur Reviews – Bath

“Add Katherine Kingsley as Miranda, Ben Mansfield as Hollywood star and her old flame, Don Lucas and Steven Pacey as Peter, the Countess’s gay cousin and confidante. All perform clichéd roles superbly.”

Peter Viney, BLOG
DATE SOURCE REVIEWER STAR RATING
27 June, 2013
Bath
Peter Viney’s BLOG Peter Viney not rated
27 June, 2013
Bath
Shall I Compare a Play to a Full Price BLOG David Jobson not rated
20 June, 2013
Bath
Rosie Pentreath’s BLOG Rosie Pentreath not rated
19 June, 2013
Bath
Reviews Gate BLOG Timothy Ramsden not rated

Professional Reviews – Richmond and Brighton

“Steven Pacey makes the most of his role as the Countess’s nephew Peter (Coward himself would surely have been delighted by the performance)”

David Guest, West Sussex County Times

“Steven Pacey has great fun as Felicity’s camp and mischievous nephew”

What’s On Stage

“an excellent supporting cast featuring Steven Pacey as Lady Marshwood’s nephew”

Steve Turner, The Public Reviews

“Steven Pacey lolls delectably as the gay nephew.”

Alex Ramon, British Theatre Guide
DATE SOURCE REVIEWER STAR RATING
13 July, 2013
Richmond
UK Theatre Network Douglas McFarlance not rated
9 July, 2013
Richmond
The Public Reviews Stephen Bates ****
nd
Richmond
Exuent Magazine Alice Saville ***
nd
Richmond
British Theatre Guide Alex Ramon not rated
3 July, 2013
Brighton
West Sussex County Times David Guest not rated
3 July, 2013
Brighton
What’s On Stage **
2 July, 2013
Brighton
The Argus Barrie Jerram not rated
2 July, 2013
Brighton
Worthing Herald Katherine Hollisey-McLean not rated
2 July, 2013
Brighton
The Public Reviews Steve Turner ***
2 July, 2013
Brighton
UK Theatre Network Greg Donaldson not rated
2 July, 2013
Brighton
Sussex Express not rated
1 July, 2013
Brighton
The Latest Steve Clements ****

Amateur Reviews – Richmond and Brighton

“In this very modern production there is also a deliciously camp Steven Pacey to enjoy as Felicity’s nephew Peter.”

Paddy Briggs, Paddy’s Art Reviews BLOG
DATE SOURCE REVIEWER STAR RATING
16 July, 2013
Richmond
Paddy’s Art Reviews Paddy Briggs ****
14 July, 2013
Richmond
Loitering in the Theatre not rated
9 July, 2013
Richmond
AllinLondon.co.uk May B not rated
1 July, 2013
Brighton
The Latest Steve Clements ****

Professional Reviews – London

“Steven Pacey is equally perfectly cast as the Countess’ nephew, bringing a playful, camp vibe to the character that never fails to raise a smile.”

Dom Ellis, SoSoGay Magazine

“Patricia Hodge is on fine form as the Countess, and is well complemented by Steven Pacey as her nephew and co-conspirator; Pacey showed a couple of years ago in Charley’s Aunt that he has a talent for playing well-to-do gents who have entered middle age without slowing down or acquiring grace and poise, and his Hon. Peter is cut from the same cloth.”

Ian Shuttleworth, Financial Times

“Steven Pacey ingeniously finds a gay subtext in the underwritten character of the countess’s nephew”

Michael Billington, The Guardian

“… delightful supporting performances from Steven Pacey as a deliciously camp friend of the family”

Charles Spencer, The Telegraph

“… some nice turns coming from Steven Pacey as a gay nephew”

David Phipps-Davis, What’s On Stage

“What could easily become just a vehicle for Hodge’s brilliance reinvents itself as a true ensemble piece, and even Steven Pacey (in the thankless role of the Countess’s nephew) stakes his claim.”

Alexandra Coghlan, The Arts Desk

“Steven Pacey plays an amused observer with a Puckish feyness that may not be in the text.”

Gerald Berkowitz, Cheap Theatre Tickets

“Extra credit must go to Steven Pacey as Peter.”

Charlie Ward, Cheap Theatre Tickets

“The cast does not contain a single weak link, with every actor bringing something unique to their role … Steven Pacey brings a sniggering campness to Felicity’s nephew.”

Rachel Fellows, The Arbuturian
DATE SOURCE REVIEWER STAR RATING
15 April The Telegraph Charles Spencer ****
15 April Financial Times Ian Shuttleworth ***
15 April The Stage Ben Dowell not rated
15 April The Guardian Michael Billington ***
15 April What’s On Stage David Phipps-Davis ****
15 April Time Out London Andrzej Lukowski **
15 April London Theatre Guide Mark Shenton **
15 April BBC News: Entertainment and Arts not rated
16 April The Times
(subscription only)
Kate Bassett ****
16 April West End Frame Andrew Tomlins ****
16 April Cheap Theatre Tickets Charlie Ward not rated
17 April SoSoGay Magazine Dom Ellis ****
18 April The Arts Desk Alexandra Coghlan not rated
20 April London Evening Standard Fiona Mountford ***
20 April, 2014 The Telegraph Tim Walker not rated
22 April, 2014 The Arbuturian Rachel Fellows not rated
not dated Theatre Guide London Gerald Berkowitz ***
not dated Exeunt Magazine Neil Dowden ***


Amateur Reviews – London

“Steven Pacey’s effete, Woosterish Peter, who steals many scenes with a raised eyebrow or arch comment.”

Scott Matthewman, The Public Reviews

“Special mentions have to be given to the performances from Zimmerman (Miranda), Quentin (Moxie) and Stephen [sic] Pacey (Felicity’s amusing nephew Peter)”

Nutleyone BLOG

“Steven Pacey adds to the jollity flitting about the stage as Peter, Felicity’s perkily flippant nephew, he’s especially hilarious when he develops a crush on the second movie star to turn up.”

Phil, West End Whinger’s BLOG

“Her partner in crime is her nephew the Honourable Peter Ingleton who brings a gay lightness to the playful character. Steven Pacey as Peter is very amusing in his efforts to ensnare an unsuspecting Don Lucas, the very attractive yet dim actor in what turns out to be something of a love square.”

Amina Bhuiyan, A Younger Theatre

“Steven Pacey has a particular take on the role of the Countess’ nephew and carries it through with real charm.”

Owen Davies, Plays to See
DATE SOURCE REVIEWER STAR RATING
31 March West End Whingers Phil ****
10 April nutleyone.co.uk nutleyone ***
15 April Reviews Gate Carole Woddis not rated
16 April Plays to See Owen Davies ****
18 April A Younger Theatre Amina Bhuiyan not rated
20 April The Public Reviews Scott Matthewman *** 1/2


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Please note: The term Relative Values as well as all associated graphics, logos, and/or other tradermarks, tradenames or copyrights are the property of the Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Noel Coward and are used herein for factual descriptive purposes only. We are in no way associated with or authorized by the owners and neither that entity nor any of its affiliates have licensed or endorsed us to sell tickets, goods and or services in conjunction with their events.

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