Review: Infamous, Jermyn Street Theatre - a light introduction to a richly interesting woman
13/09/2023
Can a woman be famous and respectable? That's the question posed by April De Angelis' play about Lady Emma Hamilton, but I'm not sure it's the right question in the context of this story.
Real mother-and-daughter actors Caroline and Rose Quentin play Emma at different stages of her life.
In the first half, Rose plays the young, flirtatious and ambitious Emma, set on catching the eye of newly victorious admiral Nelson. The fact that she's married doesn't give her a moment's reflection.
She's risen from poverty via maid, model and dancer to a place in society where she's not only a lady by marriage but the 18th-century equivalent of an influencer. And just as social media influencers continually seek clicks, Emma is determined to build on her fame.
Caroline plays her mother - put upon but grateful to have escaped her own dodgy and dark past. Age and experience have given her a more grounded outlook on their situation.
In the second half, the roles swap. Caroline is Emma, and Rose is her daughter Horatia. Nelson is deceased, and they are living in poverty in France, having racked up debts in England and been cut off from any support.
Emma still believes she's 'got it' and can turn around their fortunes, while Horatia is the realist.
It is great to see Caroline Quentin showing her comic acting credentials on stage again and generating laughs, particularly when she gets to play Emma with her flowing locks and gown. There is also novelty value in seeing mother and daughter playing mother and daughter.
The set is simple but effective - a scene change got a spontaneous round of applause.
De Angelis' play touches on social mobility, the role of women and their lack of agency to show just how much Emma achieved before losing it all again.
However, while entertaining enough, this is a light introduction to Emma's story and doesn't mine very deep into the rich array of material on offer.
As a result, it doesn't have a huge amount to say about her. And the question of fame and respectability doesn't serve without defining fame. Emma was 'the hostess with the mostest', an entertainer and charmer, but she was also famous for having an affair with a married celebrity.
I'm giving Infamous ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Infamous, Jermyn Street Theatre
Written by April De Angelis
Directed by Michael Oakley
Starring Caroline and Rose Quentin
Running time: 1 hour and 45 minutes, including an interval
Booking until 7 October. For more information and tickets, visit the Jermyn Street Theatre website.
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