In this tight two-hander, playwright April De Angelis distils the tumultuous life of Lady Emma Hamilton down to two periods – the start of her affair with Nelson in Naples, and her decline and death aged 49 in a hovel in Calais.
The trick of Michael Oakley’s minimalist production is that Caroline Quentin and her daughter Rose share the role of Lady Hamilton.
Rose’s Emma is a voluptuous, heartless wild child who has bedded her way to a position of power and influence.
The disapproval voiced by her mother (QuentinSr) about her daughter’s indiscretions derives less from moral probity than a potential loss of income should a scandal erupt.
In the second act, Caroline plays the still-delusional Emma like a Blanche DuBois, while Rose is Emma’s unacknowledged daughter Horatia.
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The dialogue consists largely of exposition and occasional arguments which leave very little room for dramatic conflict or suspense.
Only the intermittent arrival of Riad Richie as a servant/soldier creates anything like a change in theatrical colour.
A glittering shawl is a talisman throughout, used by Emma in her diva-like ‘Attitudes’ in which she entertained her lovers with erotic tableaux of goddesses and mythical characters.
Fotini Dimou’s ingenious set of folding panels is worth noting. It is a pity that there isn’t a better play to do them and the actors justice.
Infamous, Jermyn Street Theatre, London, until October 7. Tickets: 020 7287 2875
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