Alan Bennett’s one act plays An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution are presented together as Single Spies (as they have been since 1988) by the company at Ealing’s Questors Theatre.
Both are about spies but are more cerebral conversation pieces than action thrillers. The first play pits Guy Burgess against actress Coral Browne in Moscow; the second has Anthony Blunt and the Queen (“HMQ”) in London.
Director Simon Meadon utilises both stage and floor areas of the venue to open out these chamber pieces, particularly notable in the opening scene of Englishman, as Browne and Burgess briskly introduce themselves.
Based on the 1983 television play, An Englishman Abroad is a study of Burgess’s lonely life behind the Iron Curtain, with his one record, restricted movement, and lack of decent food or suits.
Locations are made clear by projected images: a high-rise apartment block; a tailor’s window. Simon Roberts brings humour to the role of the seedy Burgess, who still sees himself as “a gent” while consuming a sole tomato for lunch.
Carol Fullilove captures the spirit of Browne without attempting a full vocal imitation. She is cynical, outspoken, and pragmatic, yet an unexpected blast from the past proves a clear emotional blow.
A Question of Attribution focuses on Blunt, known by the secret service to have been a spy for Russia but promised immunity as he works as Keeper of the Queen’s Pictures, and no one wants to embarrass the Royals.
Bennett cleverly uses Titian’s Triple Portrait to make links with Blunt’s hidden life, both in discussion with Adam Kimmel’s officious Chubb in their monthly meetings and with HMQ herself (a steely Kate Langston).
Francis Lloyd gives Blunt a snobbish and vain gloss while hinting at a sense of danger beneath, but it was a pity to hear a couple of line stumbles, as the script is so complex to follow for audiences.
In the part of the play set in Buckingham Palace’s corridor, lined with painting and cluttered with gifted objects, there was a sparkling bit of writing between Blunt and HMQ, but it could have been slightly more audible.
Character bits in both plays landed well, and I’ll highlight Dumitru Stratulat’s balilaika-playing Tolya and Dominic Reed’s Palace servant Colin as being particularly well done.
An entertaining night out in the company of Britain’s most charming traitors, Single Spies remains an absorbing peek behind the established veneer, and the sets by Bron Blake & Roger Brace should also be applauded.
You can see this at the Questors until 30 Mar with tickets here.
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Image credit: Robert Vass