Review: Filumena (Richmond Theatre)

Review by Rosie Holmes

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eduardo de Filippo’s 1946 comedy Filumena, originally written in Italian, makes a stop at Richmond Theatre as part of a new UK tour. Set in Post-war Naples, the story centres around Filumena, who tricks her log-time lover Don Domenico, and with the show featuring a stellar cast and an intriguing plotline, I was certainly excited to see what this play had to offer.

We meet Filumena seconds after she has sprung from her deathbed, her dying swan act is in fact a ruse, though we don’t see this play out. Having been in a 35-year illegitimate relationship with Don Domenico, Filumena is determined to ensure that her three sons—whom she has secretly raised without his knowledge—receive his name and inherit his wealth. To do this, she devises a plan to trick him into marrying her. Pretending she is moments away from death, Don Domenico marries her before a priest. As the motivations behind Filumena’s trickery are revealed, and the plot thickens, the play delves into an exploration of morality, love and human connection. It is a shame that what could have been the funniest scene is one we don’t actually see.

Felicity Kendal shines in the title role, effortlessly navigating the play’s dense dialogue and rich character arc. Kendal wrings every ounce of humour from Filumena's shrewdness, while also conveying the vulnerability and strength beneath her character’s scheming exterior. Through her performance, it’s clear why Kendal is a British household name. Opposite her, Matthew Kelly plays Don Domenico, Filumena’s exasperated but ultimately softened lover. Kelly brings a wonderful depth to a character who could easily have been a one-note brute. As the play progresses, his transformation from gruff and dismissive to tender and understanding is a testament to his skill. The chemistry between Kendal and Kelly is palpable, no doubt aided by their recent work together, just last year in Michael Frayn’s Noises Off. Their banter crackles with energy, making their interactions both comic and sincere, though at times I think a more menacing side to Domenico would have highlighted Filumena’s plight and situation in a more powerful way.

The leads are supported by a talented ensemble cast. Jodie Steele plays Don Domenico’s younger lover, a role that allows Steele to showcase her flair for humour. Julie Legrand as Rosalia, the pragmatic and loyal friend to Filumena, brings a grounded, no-nonsense energy to the stage. Meanwhile, Sarah Twomey provides fabulous characterisation and physical humour as the young maid, Lucia.

Despite the excellent performances, the production sometimes struggles to maintain momentum, particularly in the first half. The play's dialogue-heavy nature, while packed with witty repartee, occasionally feels overwhelming. The length of some scenes and the repetitiveness of Filumena's schemes can make the pacing drag. While the play does explore important themes of class and the treatment of women, these moments sometimes feel lost amidst the choice to rely on the humour within the script and draw out laughs as often as possible.

The set design by Morgan Large is one of the production’s highlights, the lavish interior of Don Domenico's house brought to life with large windows and a beautifully painted marble ceiling, capturing the grandeur of the “Best House in Naples,” as the English translation of Filumena was once known. Despite the one-room setting, the direction by Sean Matthias keeps the visual interest alive, creating dynamic tableaus that highlight the characters’ relationships. A particularly striking image occurs when the three sons sit before their mother in a scene that quickly infantalises the three men, hard to do when most of them are double their mother’s height!

The play does occasionally lose its way in the second half. The comedy begins to overshadow the deeper themes, and the emotional resonance of Filumena's sacrifices becomes muddled by the continued focus on humour. The pacing slows, and some of the more poignant moments fail to have the impact they deserve.

Filumena boasts a talented cast, particularly Kendal and Kelly, and lots of laugh out loud moments. However, the play's wordiness, combined with a sometimes-uneven emotional tone, detracts from its overall impact. That said, the overall experience is still an enjoyable evening of theatre, offering plenty of laughs and a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of love, loyalty, and manipulation.

Filumena plays at Richmond Theatre, until Saturday 23rd November as part of its UK tour, tickets and more information here - Filumena – Bill Kenwright Limited