Review: Madwomen of The West (Riverside Studios)

Review by Rosie Holmes

⭐️⭐️

After successful seasons in New York and Los Angeles, Madwomen of the West arrives at London’s Riverside Studios for the summer, promising hilarity, outrageous opinions, and questioning what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. With a cast made up of stars of the silver screen, I was keen to see if the show would deliver on its many promises.

Set in an L.A mansion belonging to Jules, the piece centres around what four friends label the ‘brunch from hell.’ Marilyn is hosting a birthday gathering at Jules’ mansion for their friend, Claudia, a struggling artist who can only afford therapy once a year. Soon after, they receive a surprise visit from long-lost friend, Zoey, a celebrity wellness guru, and the reunion takes them through a night of political arguments, personal revelations, and plenty of champagne. Writer Sandra Tsing Loh uses the play within a play trope to frame the piece, while the characters regularly break the fourth wall, adding comedic asides.

Marilyn is the first of the four friends we meet, played by Caroline Aaron. In fact, we first meet Aaron as herself, opening the performance with a direct address to the audience, quickly establishing a warm and humorous connection. Aaron benefits from playing the most developed of the four characters. Marilyn, on a sugar-cleanse, is the head and founder of an all-girls’ school, who bristles with the constant fear of upsetting someone while discussing topics she does not understand.

Brooke Adams plays lawyer Jules, almost unnerving with her permanent grin giving way to clumsiness as she drinks more and more. Marilu Henner is Zoey, a very wealthy celebrity wellness guru who plays on some culturally recognisable figures, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, to create an all together irritating character. Finally, Melanie Mayron plays Claudia, appearing in her pyjamas, downtrodden and sometimes defensive. We later realise why, which gives way to one of the most interesting parts of the play; a discussion around the trans community.

This is, at times, an endearing and relatable conversation, asking questions many others have probably wanted to ask too, and giving an insight into the ‘boomer’ generation’s views on this topic, handled with sensitivity and humour. It did, however, end far too soon, the conversation could have been further fleshed out and instead other mundane, meandering conversation seemed to takeover. While some of the play's discussions about the experiences of mature women are insightful and worth exploring further, others fall into the trap of oversimplification and stereotypes, such as the predictable jokes about older women and technology. This might resonate differently with different audiences, but as a 29-year-old woman, some of these portrayals did feel a little out of touch and less impactful.

The chemistry among the actresses is, however, palpable, and one of the play’s strongest points. Yet despite their evident talent, the dialogue they are given fails to elicit much laughter or engagement (which is outright asked for at the opening of the show). The humour feels forced and the characters' interactions lack the vibrancy needed to bring the story to life. It is perhaps a lack of direction and meaning that prevents the show from really hitting the mark, and it feels as if the show (with further work) could be a stand-up set discussing the lives of post-menopausal women, not a play almost reaching the two-hour mark. Despite a repeated reference to the ‘brunch from hell’ there is not the drama one would expect from an event labelled as such. Aside from a few political disagreements and parental worries, it felt like the play was severely lacking in climax.

Madwomen of the West does have potential, there are some endearing moments between friends and the chance for often unseen topics to be explored in a sensitive and humorous way. However, in this production, the pace was a touch too slow, and unfortunately many of the characters and jokes felt underwritten.

Madwomen of the West plays at Riverside Studios until Saturday 24th August, tickets and further information can be found here - Madwomen Of The West | Riverside Studios

 Photos by Ryan Howard