Charley's Aunt - Sewell Barn Theatre (11.07.2025)

Debuting way back in 1892, this classic Victorian farce sees two Oxford students caught up in an elaborate ruse as they go to great lengths to woo their love interests.

It begins with the entitled, impudent Jack struggling to write a letter to his beau, Kitty, in which he intends to declare his love for her. Jack's best pal Charley has also been trying to do the same for his love, Amy, with little success. However, when Charley receives word he is due to be visited by his rich aunt from Brazil, Jack concocts the notion that the girls could visit them in order to meet the aunt.

However, best laid plans go awry as the aunt is delayed, so instead the lads strong-arm associate Lord Fancourt Babberley into pretending to be the mysterious aunt. From there, the anticipated chaos and hilarity ensues.

The production is awash with delightful performances, but it's Barney Matley who steals the show as the fake aunt; and let's face it, if he wasn't stealing it, he would have been playing it all wrong. Matley's energy was astounding (especially so given the searing heat of the barn) throwing himself full-blooded into everything in a whirling dervish of a performance.

Lord Fancourt enjoys being 'Charley's Aunt' Photo credit: Andrew Evans

Not far behind were Jamie Radcliffe and Jeremiah Humphries-Piercey as Charley and Jack. Both actors offered fine, larger than life performances, with Humphries-Piercey leading the way with his confident, energetic portrayal throughout, while Radcliffe was utterly endearing.

Among the excellent supporting cast, Jamie Willimott as the all-seeing and disapproving butler showed his great comic chops, and Jonathan Cooke put in an impressively commanding yet languid display as Sir Francis.

It is a bit of a shame that the play is so heavily weighted in favour of the men, as whilst Florence Bates and Rachel Carney as Kitty and Amy did some sterling work, they had precious little to work with compared to their male counterparts, who shared all the best lines and physical action between them.

If you're looking for hidden depth, you needn't bother. It's simply a sweet, riotously funny play that shows the daft things that people in love do. And it was charmingly brought to life with great aplomb by Director Cassie Tillett and her talented company. Charley's Aunt continues at the Sewell Barn Theatre until 19 July.