
I wasn't sure what to expect, having seen Miranda Richardson in a version at the Edinburgh Festival way back when. When? 1996, it turns out, and I remember being faintly bemused at it, more than anything else. Whereas this, this was engaging from the very first moment, and funny and fascinating and my attention didn't waver for a moment. There were instances of such ridiculousness that I found a part of my brain thinking that I surely couldn't be enjoying them this much, but the other part didn't understand that and wasn't even listening because what was happening on stage was too good, too much fun. I should probably say that I haven't read the book (and am currently convinced that it couldn't be anywhere as good as this was) and admit that I have no deep understanding of what was going on. And I don't care. It doubtless helps that it's surely been a long while since I've seen a play at the Exchange that truly grabbed me, but everything about and everyone in this one was brilliant.