The Times, October 30, 1980, by Michael Ratcliffe
"Last night's television"
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The greatest problem in converting Nancy Mitford's two most 
popular comic novels into one dramatic entertainment is what 
to do with Fanny's narrative voice. Simon Raven has turned 
most of it into quite skillful dialogue and actable, if 
coarsened, scenes, but he reverts to the original, in voice-
over, every 10 minutes or so, to move the action swiftly 
forward or re-establish the authoritative Mitford tone. It 
is a shock: we realize what we are missing. Never mind, this 
is a *play.* The settings are excellent--Glos. and North 
Oxon at their most wintry and damp--and the acting promises 
to be very good.

I have to say promises because I have also seen episode two, 
much of which is very funny indeed, and because the opening 
play of Gerald Savory's eight-part production saddled itself 
with a problem all but sank it. It had never occurred to me 
before that of course Linda, Fanny and Polly would have to 
be played by both children and grown-ups: in *The Pursuit of 
Love* and *Love in a Cold Climate* the line between 
childhoood, adolescence and maturity is continuous and it is 
part of the whole point that precocious children never 
change. The casting of three little girls who timed, spoke 
and stressed sloppily, and appeared to have no idea that 
there was anything in their roles to distinguish them from 
*What Katy Did Next* and *Dr. Who,* robbed the show of much 
sharpness, mischief and wit. (I would except Tiggey Foster, 
a delicious Jassey). "Listen *cur*fully," said Linda as the 
Huns crouched in their cupboard, for all the world as if 
Aunt Sadie had whelped a little Scouse.

Do not be put off: we are done with them now. Michael 
Aldridge is playing Uncle Matthew--here unaccountable 
abbreviated to Uncle Matt, about as pointless an act of 
*lese majeste*, surely, as to speak of Lady Brack-
-like a King Rat whole lips part tigerishly and eyes gleam 
like haematite when he is crossed. He is even good enough to 
make one look the other way when Mr. Raven makes him talk 
about knocking shops and says "That's for sure." Next week 
he is very funny indeed, exploding like a cracker above the 
soppily shared wishbone of Linda and her sewer Hun and 
tearing up the aisle at top speed with the bride on his arm.

Michael Williams's delicate and affectionate Davey was a joy 
from the start, which was clearly the view also of both 
Matthew, enchanted to have his art collection reduced to 
worthlessness in a night, and Aunt Sadie (Judi Dench),witty, 
wistful and firm).Other delights include a glittering Boy 
Dougdale, all sheep's eyes and footsie under the table (Job 
Stewart), and a Lady Montdore (Vivian Pickles) who exactly 
combines stunning vulgarity with impeccable breeding.



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