Review Theatre: The Hostess of the Inn | Lion and Unicorn Theatre | Elizabeth Keates

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The Review - THEATRE by JOSH LOEB
Published: 27 November 2008

The follies of pride and the nonsense of love

REVIEW: THE HOSTESS OF THE INN
Lion and Unicorn Theatre

IT is 18th-century Florence and pretty inn keeper Mirandolina’s male guests are all agog as they vie for her affections.
The latest in a long line of competitors are the flamboyant Count of Albafiorita and bumbling Marquess of Forlipopoli. But Mirandolina (Elizabeth Keates, pictured) loves her freedom too much to marry either of them.
Used to flattery and obsequiousness, the haughty hostess is shocked when a new guest, the Knight of Ripafratta, declares himself immune to the “nonsense” of love. To teach this spartan man a lesson, Mirandolina sets out to seduce him.
An early modern rom-com, this play is refreshingly subversive and its bittersweet ending will satisfy those bored by the sickly-sweet romantic comedies of today.
True to the Lion and Unicorn’s reputation for well-produced classic theatre, this production by fledgling company Giant Olive boasts impressive costumes, set design and casting.
Topping all this off is the acting, which is frequently superb. Alex Barclay in particular stands out as the ridiculous Count and Jill Stanford is brilliant as hammed-up actress Hortensia.
In the second half, the mood changes, becoming suddenly darker as jealousy poisons the atmosphere in the inn. But there are still moments of hilarity, as when the Count runs around, madly upending laundry baskets and stamping on a peacock’s feather, before rapturously declaring that he has thus “punished” Mirandolina for her rejection of him.
Rather like the Lion and Unicorn, this very entertaining play – written by Carlo Goldoni and adapted by Katherine Gregoris – is not widely known about, which is a shame as its lessons about the follies of pride are well taught and interesting.
Until December 14
020 7485 9897

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