Travels With My Aunt

Graham Greene’s Travels With My Aunt at the Menier Chocolate Factory is spectacular in its deviation from the ordinary.

The story is narrated to the audience by ex-bank manager Henry Pulling, who harbours a penchant for tending to his dahlias. Played in turn by Gregory Gudgeon, David Bamber, Jonathan Hyde and Iain Mitchell, the four men all dressed in identical suits remain on stage during the entire performance. This quartet also play numerous other characters as well as the lead, slipping back and forth with admirable finesse. It was almost like, as a child, having your favourite relative read you a bedtime story and ‘doing all the voices’. They lend their own unique brand of comedy to each character, including an effervescent palm reader in Portugal (Gudgeon), and a young American girl travelling on the Orient Express (Bamber), ensuing in total hilarity. Jonathan Hyde in particular is frighteningly convincing in his quick-witted portrayal of ageing beauty Aunt Augusta.

The story begins when Henry Pulling attends a funeral and is reacquainted with his eccentric Aunt Augusta, whom he had only ever met once in his childhood. Relishing in her indulgence of the decadent side of life, Aunt Augusta persuades Henry to abandon his beloved dahlias and accompany her on several trips across the globe on missions shrouded in mystery. As they travel, Aunt Augusta’s unconventional life choices come to light, greatly contrasting against Henry’s equally conventional life. Nonetheless, a strong bond is born. Coincidentally bumping into a myriad of his aunt’s acquaintances, Henry’s adventure is revealed at a deliciously tantalising pace. From Paris to Istanbul, the expanse that the story covers both physically and emotionally is truly a fantastic adventure, and I can think of no finer actors to illustrate such depth. Although little changes on Colin Falconer’s clever set – essentially a train station established by a board listing the destinations – every location is equally compelling. This is due in particular to the frivolity of Gudgeon’s non-naturalistic touches.

The artistic choices made in bringing this performance to life are perfect for enhancing the sometimes dark comedy. The intimacy and frankness which is shared with the audience both as spectators and as an extra character (much like Jane Austen’s “Dear Reader”) are integral to the conspiratorial tone. Littered with wonderful twists and turns, it is extremely difficult to convey the greatness of the story without spoiling it. What I can tell you is that this adaptation by Giles Havergal, directed by Christopher Luscombe, is nothing short of magical.

Travels With My Aunt is playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 29 June. For more information and tickets, see The Menier Chocolate Factory website.