This modern, feminist reworking of The Wife of Bath combines the talents of three leaders of their creative fields. Few can doubt the influence of Geoffrey Chaucer in literature over the centuries, while Zadie Smith, making her playwriting debut, is one of the country’s leading contemporary novelists.
However, despite her indisputable skills, what might otherwise have been a witty solo show is transformed into a pleasurable 90-minute drama thanks to the efforts of Indhu Rubasingham, who nobody at the time realised was soon to become director designate of the National Theatre.
The tale is set in the incredibly well-stocked Colin Campbell Pub on Kilburn High Road in the hot summer of 2022, created for the stage by designer Robert Jones to encompass not only the cast but a significant proportion of the audience.
Here, we are introduced to the eponymous Wife, portrayed with flair and energy by Clare Perkins. Alvita is a livewire in her mid-50s who has seen off five husbands and is in the market for a sixth.
We discover much about her during an hour-long prologue, which might seem disproportionate to the tale itself, running at half that time. However, Alvita’s history is both witty and life affirming, filled with lashings of lust and love and embroidered by a rich tapestry of characters played by a highly adaptable, nine-strong supporting ensemble with a fair bit of song and dance training for luck.
Largely told in vernacular verse, the evening is promoted by the pub landlady’s generous offer of English breakfast plus chips to the winner of a storytelling contest.
Fuelled by untold nips of Bailey’s and other spirits, Alvita and her pals outline a life enjoyed with the constant imperative to prove that women should be the ruling clan, money nice but not necessary, religion flexible and men at their beck and call in the battle of the sexes.
Having got the message across loud and clear before the Chaucerian tale even commences, the philosophy is confirmed as we hear about the demands of Queen Nanny of Jamaica when confronted with a proud Maroon caught in the act of rape.
Offering him an opportunity of restorative justice and the choice between death and redemption, the young man is sent off on an Arthurian quest to discover “what do women want?”
With an ending that might have been drawn from a fairytale, not only does he reluctantly discover the answer, thanks to the efforts of an Old Wife portrayed by Ellen Thomas, but finds happiness rolled into the bargain.
The Wife of Willesden is an entertaining 90-minute comedy that owes much to the efforts and enthusiasm of all involved, while giving an ancient story a modern, feminist slant that hides an important message beneath a great deal of fun and ribald humour.
National Theatre at Home is available on subscription, broadcasts in HD, costs only £9.99 for a month or £99.99 for a year.