Review: Fallen Angels (Menier Chocolate Factory)

Review by Daz Gale

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There is a certain timelessness to Noël Coward’s plays, and it is always interesting to watch the marriage between retaining the essence of the original writing while simultaneously adding something new and distinct. This was seen recently with two markedly different major London productions of Private Lives appearing just a few months apart in 2023. The latest Coward play to experience a resurgence in London is one that is revived far less frequently than many of his others: Fallen Angels, returning to celebrate 100 years since its premiere. Would this new production at the Menier Chocolate Factory prove to be a match made in heaven?

Set in the London flat of Julia and Fred Steroll, Fallen Angels centres around two women who have multiple things in common - they are both finding their marriages to be a little stale and needing a little spark, and they both shared the same lover before they were married, the mysterious Maurice. When news gets to them that Maurice has returned, Julia and Jane plan their moves, even if it threatens their decades-long friendship. What transpires is a farce full of secrets, double-crossings, mistaken identities and no shortage of hilarity.

When Fallen Angels was first seen in 1925, it was considered shocking and resulted in protests with the attempt to get it banned. Society has moved on since then, and what was considered taboo or shocking back then is rather tame now - I saw much more shocking things on the walk back to the station after, to be honest. In that respect, it can seem a little dated and perhaps “safe”, a word that would not be used to describe it in 1925. There is nothing wrong with that, however, and it's a reminder of days gone by that proves oddly comforting and a welcome escape from the complexities of living in 2025.

It is a testament to the talent and enduring legacy of Noël Coward that his writing remains wickedly funny 100 years after it was written. It may not be shocking, but it doesn’t need to be - his writing transcends the need to shock, and there is absurdity and hilarity in the situation unfolding that provides no shortage of laughs. This is expertly realised by Christopher Luscombe’s direction, brilliantly planting the seeds and laying the groundwork for an explosive climax. Fallen Angels does get off to a relatively slow start as the audience gets to know the six (including one initially unseen) characters. This requires a lot of goodwill on their part, and though Act One was pleasant enough, I couldn’t honestly say my ribs had been tickled. 

The steady build-up in Acts One and Two has its payoff in a far pacier third Act, following an interval. where the true nature of the farce comes to the surface. As repercussions from the night before come into play, the laughs come thicker and faster, with Luscombe’s patient direction at its best as the various characters come and go with truths and deceit playing out in quick succession. With one eye firmly on how to heighten the comedy, Fallen Angels proves an enjoyable romp that is pleasant at times and painfully funny at others.

Glorious set design from Simon Higlett beautifully transports us into the Steroll’s 1925 home with great details and an inclusion of props that all serve a purpose throughout. This is accompanied by stunning costumes from Fotini Dimou - when the two women glam up for their evening, the detail is astonishing to see with a fitting sense of opulence. Strong lighting from Oliver Fenwick and sound from Adam Cork play to the strengths of the Menier Chocolate Factory and its various configurations - here, the audience is sat on two sides, with not a bad sightline in place - another testament to the strong and clear direction.

If there is one reason to see Fallen Angels, it is to see its remarkable cast. Janie Dee is on fine form as Julia Steroll, playing up to her natural comedic talents, and even getting one moment to showcase the vocals that have made her such a staple in so many musicals. Alexandra Gilbreath is the perfect comic partner for Dee with her exceptional turn as Jane Banbury. As the alcohol flows, Gilbreath’s performance grows, with her exaggerated choices and descent into drunkenness completely joyous to watch. The prolonged dinner scene with Dee and Gilbreath in Act Two is captivating to watch, thanks to the phenomenal performances from both sensational women. Though Fallen Angels predates it by some 70 years, the pair did remind me of Edina and Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous , with the title of that show being an apt description for their faux drunken antics.

Richard Teverson and Christopher Hollis make a fleeting appearance at the start of the play as the two husbands, Fred and Bill, respectively. It is their return in Act Three that proves the most memorable, mixing up the dynamics with a “wife swap” (for lack of a better phrase) and leading up to a great case of confusion, bringing the farcical elements out in full swing. We may be waiting a while for Maurice to appear, but Gabriel Vick is more than worth the wait, delivering a charismatic and cheeky turn that brings the action to a head.

The cast is completed by Sarah Twomey in a standout performance as the Steroll’s maid, Saunders. New to working in their home, her unconventional approach to the job provides many of the most hilarious moments of the play, with Twomey always on scene-stealing form. Getting the opportunity to showcase her talents with chances to sing, and a showstopping dance sequence, this may be a side character that isn’t crucial to the plot compared to the others, but she provides the necessary comic relief in one of the greatest comedy portrayals I have witnessed on stage this year.

It may be 2025, but the Menier Chocolate Factory bring us back to 1925 effortlessly with a note-perfect production of Fallen Angels. Tapping into the madcap nature of the story, the result is a play that is fun, feel-good and farcical. If you are looking for a good alternative for a show this Christmas and specifically want something to make you laugh, there is no mistaking that is the show for you. It may have been 25 years since the show was last revived in London, and 100 years since it was written, but it still feels every bit as funny today (even if it is far less shocking). Let’s hope it’s not another 25 years before we see this slice of theatre heaven again.

Fallen Angels plays at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 21st February 2026. Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/play/fallen-angels-tickets

Photos by Manuel Harlan