The Constant Wife opened at The Grand Theatre as an elegant reminder of how classic plays can still feel relatable to audiences today. This RSC production of W. Somerset Maugham’s 1920s comedy, newly adapted by Laura Wade, balances sharp dialogue with a strong sense of style and wit.
Set in a decade known for shifting social expectations and incredible fashion, this production leans fully into the glamour of the era. The costumes are a real highlight. From clean lines to rich fabrics, they help define each character early doors in the play. Constance and her sister Martha stand out most. Their attention to detail, flair and utility hints at the intelligence and resourcefulness of these post war women, making their domestic and social worlds feel rich and real.
The set design is equally impressive. Rather than symbolising a change location, the moving elements allow the stage to shift through time. Walls slide and turn, revealing moments from the recent, ‘one year earlier’ past. Details within the set deepen our connection to Constance: her colour samples, laid out like the plans of a careful interior designer, show a woman skilled in observation and quietly planning her own future.
It was heartening to see The Grand Theatre so full on opening night, with a lively, engaged audience adding to the atmosphere. Kara Tointon, as Constance Middleton, makes her character a formidable force. She brings warmth and wit, particularly in moments where Constance quietly asserts control. Watching her handle betrayal with calm resolve is impressive, even if there are times you find yourself wishing she might do so a little louder and with more force. This play is not forceful though, it’s classy. Jamie Cullum’s music gives the production a smooth, jazzy feel, tying together the fashion, movement and mood of the era. Combined with the strong design work, it creates a performance that feels both of its age and not.
At its core, The Constant Wife explores independence, personal growth and the complexities of marriage. While set within strict social rules, it’s the way Constance moves within and around them that continues to feel relevant today. This is a stylish, thoughtful production with much to enjoy, particularly in its design, music and atmosphere. It’s a reminder of the value in reimagining classic plays — not only to enjoy their wit and craft, but to reflect on how much has changed, and how much still resonates, a hundred years on.
