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Lyttelton theatre, LondonDodie Smith’s play presents a beautifully drawn, four-generation celebration of a golden wedding anniversary on the eve of the second world warSneaking downstairs when he should really be in bed, mischievous young Bill (Felix Tandon) declares the old house to be restless. With four generations of his family scampering about the grand country home where memories are packed tight into every nook and cranny, fraught relationships are being fixed and secrets are being shared, it’s no wonder the child can’t be lulled to sleep.This glorious revival of Dodie Smith’s interwar family drama is a visual and emotional feast. Director Emily Burns breathes rich life into a weekend gathering to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary of Dora (Lindsay Duncan) and her husband Charles (Malcolm Sinclair). Duncan is the most graceful of performers. Sharp and soft at once, Dora longs for everyone to spend time together yet is unable to walk into a room without hastily sending everyone out with a job to do. In the rare moments when she pauses for breath, the delight she takes in her family knocks the wind out of you. Continue reading...