Review of The Vortex at Ilkley Playhouse

NOEL Coward’s play, The Vortex, caused a sensation when it was first produced in the 1920s and no wonder. At Ilkley Playhouse’s studio theatre this week, director Damien O’Keefe’s fast paced and striking production with its themes of sexual game playing, fear of ageing and drug taking, remains a thrilling drama, at once witty, infuriating and ultimately very moving.

At the centre of the play is Florence Lancaster, a famed beauty and socialite, much in demand and in turn, very demanding. Her friends flock around her, needing her and in awe of her but at the same time quite shocked by her behaviour as she is known to have had a succession of lovers right under the nose of her long suffering husband. Her latest lover is half her age and the same age as her son.

Florence, played by Louise Button with enormous energy and intelligence, is dangerous from the outset. As she flits between her friends, taking phone calls and demanding cocktails it quickly becomes clear that this woman is not to be trusted. Recital singer Clara Hibbert, (Miranda Armitage) both needy and prone to hysteria, can be certain that her friend will mock her as soon as she is out of earshot. David Lancaster, her much maligned husband, played with ponderous sadness by Neil Holt, is a broken man.

Following Florence on to the stage is her latest lover, charming and debonair Tom Veryan who is seemingly totally in her lure. Confident and attractive, Harri Pitches as Veryan, the latest of her conquests, is clearly her plaything – there to make Florence feel young, desirable and loved. However the early return of her son with a fiancée in tow, makes her realise that her day is over and that there are new bright things on the scene, more desirable and more beautiful than she.

Florence’s son, Nicky, is played with great sensitivity by Will Lovell, who is at first the epitome of a languid artist, his head turned by months spent in Paris. Later though a tortured soul is revealed as he finally rages against his mother’s behaviour and demands that she gives up her wonton ways. A broad range of emotions is demanded from this young actor and he delivers masterfully – bravo.

Performed in the Wildman studio, with a clever and stylish minimalist set designed by David Keighley and Aamta Baleem, this production showcases some truly exceptional performances in a powerful and compelling play. It’s short run ends on Saturday – do what you can to grab a ticket.

by Becky Carter