Mail on Sunday, 28 July 1991, by Kenneth Hurren
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It's not often that exhumed relics of the Thirties stand up 
and wave for us today.

But of two such revivals, one just about does.

"Tovarich" (Chichester Festival Theatre) is the Jacques 
Deval comedy about two White Russian emigres--a prince and a 
grand duchess--who take jobs as butler and maid in the 
household of a Parisian banker.

It was a stage hit in Paris, London and New York, and the 
1937 film starring Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer is 
probably still kicking around television's old-movie 
schedules.

Nevertheless, Thirties theatre frivolities have never 
challenged fine old ports in their response to ageing, and 
I'm agreeably surprised that this one still comes across to 
engagingly.

True, there are sluggish patches, as when the comic irony of 
the banker's family's ignorance of the aristocrats' identity 
is being milked for rather more than it's worth.

But doubts are dispelled by insouciant charm, a great deal 
of that being displayed by Robert Powell and ballerina 
Natalia Makarova as the prince and duchess.

The stylish Makarova is gradually getting the hang of the 
language and an elegant little dance has been worked in for 
her. Isn't that nice?

Still, you win some, you lose some.



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