This year marks fifty years since the legendary Noel Coward sadly passed away and, as I enter the beautiful Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford on Tuesday evening, within seconds it’s clear I’m in for an entertaining evening of one of his classics. This is Brief Encounter like you’ve never seen it before. 

Before the production even begins, you are thrown into its world. A packed theatre bar is greeted by four talented actor-musicians, dressed as 1930s theatre ushers, who treat us to a number of songs of the era and set the scene fantastically for the evening ahead. This adaptation of Coward’s 1945 blockbuster film, adapted by former Kneehigh artistic director Emma Rice, is full of music and fun.

Actor musicianship is hugely popular at the moment and, given Noel Coward’s love of music and experience as a composer & singer, it was surely only a matter of time before these two similar genres combined.

The iconic story of Brief Encounter needs little introduction. Themes of love, infidelity, marriage and family life seem just as relevant today as they did almost eighty years ago. A chance meeting at a railway station between Dr Alec Harvey (Jammy Kasongo) and (Laura Jesson and Hanora Kamen) turns into a devastating love affair. We follow their dilemmas, complications and passionate encounters until they must both decide how their journey will end.

Kamen gives an outstanding performance as focal point of the story, Laura. Her meticulous clarity resembles Julie Andrews and she is a delight to watch. Kasongo partners her well and there are also stand out performances from the rest of the cast, especially Samuel Morgan-Grahame, Lucy Elizabeth Thorburn and Luke Thornton. Throughout the story, we meet other couples going on their own relationship journeys. Stanley & Beryl, played exquisitely by Thornton and Thorburn, provide warmth and charm to the production and Thornton’s singing voice & musical talent on the double bass are a joy to behold. Morgan-Grahame as Albert Godby brings some much-wanted comic relief to a sometimes heavy piece and has the audience laughing along with him at all times.

Credit must also go to Musical Director and Composer Tom Self, who too performs in the play. Always smiling, his cheeky charisma shows he loves what he does and his music is perfect. If only there was a little more throughout.

Douglas Rintoul’s slick direction often breaks the fourth wall and, together with Jess Curtis’ innovative set design, brings the audience right into the action. Daniel Denton’s video design uses pristine projection to aid the piece, although a recurring metaphor of tidal waves asks a lot of questions and is somewhat unclear.

Captivating and so easy to watch, it’s a joyous production which oozes heart and talent. Brief Encounter, at around only 45 minutes per act, was maybe too Brief! I could’ve listened and enjoyed it for very much longer. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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