Review: SPRINGWOOD, Hampstead Theatre

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

The King of England, George VI’s visit to America in June 1939, the first of any British King to the former colony as a guest of President Roosevelt at his mother’s Springwood home, provides a fascinating insight into a crucial time in British history, and into the two families who led their nations into World War II. As Hitler’s rise in Germany threatened the outbreak of that war, the King was invited by the President and required by his Government to turn it into a diplomatic mission. But as the President reminded the King, Britain had not paid off its debt to America for the First World War, and not everyone there would support the USA entering a second. George felt inadequate to the task, still adjusting to being a King after his brother’s abdication because it he wanted to marry a divorced American lady.

Richard Nelson’s play appears to be based on clear documentary evidence in the FDR Library and the letters of the President’s secretary companion, Daisy Suckley, about the relationships and that pivotal two-day visit. We know the characters from the black and white picture records of them and many of us will recall seeing the King’s wife Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon later in life when she was known as The Queen Mother, but the play gives us a delightful insight into them as people and how the personal relationships shaped world events. Moreover, with public tensions between the current President Trump and the outgoing British Prime Minister, plus the recent brilliant speech by King Charles III to The US Congress brings the “special relationship” between the Nations, which brings George VI’s visit created into sharp focus. We see that personal relationships and style are as important as stateman like personas.

Robert Lindsay plays Roosevelt, suffering from polio which prevents him standing or walking but captures his charismatic presence, dry humour and clarity of political thought. They hint at an intimate relationship with Daisy Suckley (Rachel Pickup) reflecting on the man’s history of infidelity. His loyal but fiercely independent wife, Eleanor, is beautifully played by Jemma Redgrave. She acts with authority, poise and dignity with - again - hints of her relationship with the unseen Hick Hickok with whom she shares a cottage on the estate. The relationship between George and Elizabeth is also delightfully explored with the Queen showing the same support for him as in the brilliant King’s Speech play as he struggles to cope with both the role as King and the control of his stammer. George’s shy, nervous and reluctant persona hid a stubborn sense of duty, and we see him quietly and effectively building a relationship with the President. Elizabeth, played by Rebecca Night, is deeply suspicious and nervous about the visit and how they will be portrayed but shows a determined and steely support for her husband. Gradually, we see the four reveal their true sides behind the public façade and build that special relationship.

Directed by the writer Richard Nelson, the play is fairly static and slow, like watching chess pieces moving around a board, and the design by Tom Piper leaves Springwood estate to our imagination. It is a curious decision to have all of the furniture props centre stage as we enter the auditorium and then immediately as the lights dim, the stage is cleared to leave a bed centre stage through to the interval, before removing it as the lights go down for start of Act 2. It simply slows the action and of course, the wheelchair bound President means that most scenes are played seated. When there are key moments like the discovery of Daisy with the President or the final public presentation of the four, they are played off stage.

This is a fine, well researched play about a key moment in history, and they create the central characters well, providing insight into their special relationship and diplomatic relations that feels relevant and intriguing.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Nick Wayne

Springwood plays at London’s Hampstead Theatre until 25 July, with further info here.