This drab play about a historic royal visit makes The Crown look nuanced
Springwood squanders a rich political moment and the talents of Robert Lindsay and Jemma Redgrave in a drama better suited to radio
June 1939; war looms on the horizon. At President Roosevelt’s invitation, George VI and Queen Elizabeth make a historic state visit to the US. Congress upholds a policy of neutrality; FDR, alarmed by the situation in Europe, shares the Royals’ need to engage a sceptical American public. Rich material for dramatists − yet, in Springwood, Richard Nelson delivers a peculiarly listless affair that squanders the talents of a cast led by Robert Lindsay and Jemma Redgrave.
Springwood is the name of the Roosevelt family estate on the Hudson, in New York State, where the parties convened for informal exchanges after receptions in Washington. This is Nelson’s third go at the story – there was a 2009 BBC Radio 3 play (Hyde Park-on-Hudson), then a poorly received 2012 film of the same name, directed by Roger Michell. This version, for Hampstead Theatre, is so conversational – Nelson wants us to eavesdrop on his characters – that it still feels far better suited to radio.
The downbeat, “un-theatrical” approach has its moments in the gently comic opening scenes in which Jemma Redgrave’s Eleanor Roosevelt paints a picture of the visit so far – including the rosewood toilet-seat acquired for the guests by FDR’s mother, whose house this is and who has pronounced against the consumption of cocktails. Redgrave plays the First Lady as rather dreamy and aloof. Sedentary on account of his polio, Lindsay’s FDR is lost in thought, almost blending in with the furniture.
Before the big arrival, Eleanor betrays some disdain about the medieval nature of the monarchy. That whiff of prejudice is picked up by Rebecca Night’s Elizabeth, first seen with “Bertie” in a guest-bedroom prior to dinner, fretting that at an impending picnic, they’ll be required to consume hot dogs: “Are they trying to make fun of us?” The answer to that is obviously “no”, no matter how often she re-airs it.
Even The Crown on a bad day musters more ambiguity, history and detailed personality. Andrew Havill, looking 20 years too old to play George VI, stutters like billy-o. After much strained polite conversation between the two sides, the transatlantic divide narrows: the King opens up about his emotionally remote father; FDR, whose complicated love-life we glimpse, is all avuncular ears. It drifts towards an off-stage denouement involving that hot dog, which seemingly won hearts and minds (if not the war). Nelson himself directs the play (after Stanley Tucci withdrew owing to a scheduling conflict) on a punishingly gloomy, drab set. What a waste.
Until Jul 25. Tickets: hampsteadtheatre.com
-- Dominic Cavendish's not pulling any punches, I see! Although it's nice that he mentions Jemma's comic talents which have been largely overlooked in recent years.
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