In 1951, Peter Brook attacked the British 'suspicion and reserve' towards modern French playwrights, observing that "Each new... play is treated as a Wooden Horse: critics toil like Trojans to smell out and warn us of the enemy concealed under the benign exterior". Jean Anouilh's lack of fashionability might make some quip that his wooden horses have deteriorated into material for the theatrical knacker's yard - yet this magical, multi-layered, and elegiac production is a potent reminder of why he deserves far greater popularity in British theatre.
Wild Orchids began life as Leocadia in 1939, and was described by Anouilh himself as one of his lighter - or "pink" - comedies. However, far from portraying the world through rose-tinted spectacles, this disturbing, witty piece (translated by Timberlake Wertenbaker) investigates themes that have haunted philosophers and poets for centuries, ranging from frivolous concerns over too much champagne through to bereavement, lost love, social status and the world of ideals as opposed to the world of appearances.
Appropriately, Patricia Routledge's Duchess is devoted to keeping up appearances, although her performance boasts more poetic elusiveness than the pretentious Hyacinth Bucket. The Duchess has summoned a young milliner to her château because she looks exactly like Leocadia, the former lover of her nephew Albert. Routledge's character melts from forbidding matron to nostalgic sage as she reveals that ever since Leocadia's death Albert has been plunged into a morbid melancholy. In a financial bid to reawaken the past, she has bought every place that the couple visited during their three-day romance, so that the landscape of their love is recreated in her back garden.
Edward Kemp's production trades beautifully on the blurring between reality and unreality essential to the spirit of the play. Poppy Mitchell's design evokes an architectural and horticultural Arcadia, while the cast strikes a philosophically comic note at times reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland.
The young milliner asked to 'replace' Leocadia - Catherine Walker - brings a luminous assertiveness to her role. As the servant in this warped garden of Eden, she proves an enchanting force for the other characters' awakening.
Wild Orchids at the Chichester Festival Theatre until 20 July. Box office: 01243 781312.
Wild Orchids
