Candida

by Bernard Shaw

seen at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond on 28 November 2019

Paul Miller directs Martin Hutson as the Rev James Mavor Morell, Claire Lams as his wife Candida, Michael Simkins as his father-in-law Mr Burgess, Sarah Middleton as Miss Proserpine Garnett ('Prossey'), his secretary, Kwaku Mills as the Rev Alexander Mill, his curate, and Joseph Potter as Mr Eugene Marchbanks, an 18-year-old poet who is also a family friend. This is Paul Miller's fourth revival of an early Shaw play in the last five years; I've seen two others and this, like them, is excellent.

The Lottery of Love

by Pierre Marivaux translated by John Fowles

seen at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond on 8 April 2017

This is the first staged prodiction of John Fowles's version of Marivaux's play Le Jeu de l'Amour et du Hasard though there was a workshop at the National in 1984. It is directed by Paul Miller and designed by Simon Daw, and features Dorothea Myer-Bennett as Sylvia, Claire Lams as Louisa (her maid), Pip Donaghy as Mr Morgan (her father), Tam Williams as Martin (her brother), Ashley Zhangazha as Richard (her suitor) and Keir Charles as John Brass (his manservant).