There is something very special about seeing a familiar comedy favourite take on a completely different theatrical role, and Jennifer Saunders certainly brings plenty of personality to The Sea, Edward Bond’s play currently at Theatre Royal Bath.
Set in 1907 in a small East Anglian seaside village, The Sea opens in the aftermath of a violent storm, a scene which is visually striking and sets the creative tone for the whole play. The community is shaken, tensions are running high and, amid the chaos, the village’s self-appointed First Lady, Mrs Rafi, is determined that life and her social standing should carry on as normal. She’s busy organising her ladies for an amateur dramatic production of Orpheus and Eurydice, seemingly oblivious to quite how absurd the world around her has become.
Saunders takes on the role of Mrs Rafi, a character around whom the world turns. Best known for French and Saunders and the wonderfully outrageous Absolutely Fabulous, she is perhaps an obvious choice for a part that calls for impeccable comic timing, larger-than-life personality and a healthy dose of self-regard. While the Sea is a darkly comic tale there are certainly moments when her performance reminds you just how naturally funny she is, and she brings a wonderful energy to the stage.
The Sea is about considerably more than laughs. Bond’s play is a curious and often unsettling mix of farce, social satire and darker observations about human behaviour. Beneath the Edwardian manners and village gossip lies a community struggling with fear, grief, class divisions and the desire to maintain some sense of order when everything feels rather less certain. The Draper, Hatch is filled with paranoid delusions about the potential invasion of aliens, recruiting a band of impressionable locals to his cause.
The contrast between the storm outside and the social dramas playing out within the village provides plenty of opportunities for comedy, but there is an underlying darkness to the story that gives the production its edge. It’s not necessarily the straightforward comedy some might expect when they see Jennifer Saunders’ name above the title, and audiences may find themselves moving between amusement and moments of genuine discomfort, or surprisingly deep reflection.
The large ensemble cast brings the village to life, with Sean Delaney as Willy Carson, Lloyd Hutchinson as Evens and Holly Godliman as Rose Jones bringing the challenging social norms to life. Jonathan Munby’s direction draws together the play’s different tones, navigating its shifts between broad comedy and more serious themes.
First performed at the Royal Court Theatre in 1973, The Sea has enjoyed relatively few major revivals, making this production an opportunity to discover a fascinating piece of British theatre, which at times is hard to determine where it is leading us. Its themes of social hierarchy, prejudice and the ways people respond to uncertainty still feel relevant, even if the Edwardian setting gives the story a distinctly different world.
For Jennifer Saunders fans, seeing her back on the Theatre Royal Bath stage is a real treat, and it’s worth approaching The Sea with an open mind. This is not simply a vehicle for a familiar comedy star; it’s a more challenging, unusual theatrical experience, full of sharp observations and unexpected turns.
The Sea is playing at Theatre Royal Bath until 7th of November. For tickets visit the Theatre Royal Bath website.
