Lovers Vows is set in eighteenth-century Germany over a twenty-four hour period. The play was first performed in Covent Garden in 1798. It’s author Elizabeth Inchbald was featured in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park. The audience witnesses that the road to true love didn’t run smoothly and with matters of the heart not much has changed over the centuries.

Every family has their scandals and dark secrets. Baron Wildenhaim played by Harry Saks’ is no exception. From the moment we are first introduced to Agatha Friburg (Kate Glover) who has fallen on hard times and waiting for her son
Frederick Freiburg to return played by Matthew Thomason. It sets the scene for the two families’ paths to cross.

There are plot twists throughout the play although these are only hidden from the characters it’s blatantly obvious to Theatre audiences what’s about to happen. However, that doesn’t stop the play from being enjoyable and funny.

Anhalt (Edmund Digby Jones) is in love with the Baron’s daughter Amelia Wildenhaim (Emma Riches) and these feelings are mutual. However, Baron Wildenhaim has promised his Daughter to Count Cassel (John Craggs), and it’s clear from the first encounter between Amelia and the Count that this is not going to work out as the Baron hopes, and who could blame Amelia?

Lighting Designer Edmund Sutton creates some visually atmospheric scenes when the single bench is used on the stage. The lighting gives the effect of sun breaking through a small castle window and the haze from it lighting the bench.

Lovers Vows offers an entertaining evening at the Theatre which can be the perfect escape from the miserable winter blues. Lovers Vows is evidence that truth and kindness win the day.

Lovers’ Vows

Four Stars.

Photo credit Paddy Gormley.

Lovers’ Vows

by Elizabeth Inchbald

directed by Kenneth Michaels

produced by Historia Theatre Company

CAST IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

The Landlord: Gareth Pilkington

Agatha Friburg: Kate Glover

Frederick Friburg: Matthew Thomason

Cottager: Richard Ward

Cottager’s Wife: Hilary Field

Baron Wildenhaim: Harry Saks

Amelia Wildenhaim: Emma Riches

Count Cassel: John Craggs

Mr Anhalt: Edmund Digby Jones

Verdun the Butler: Gareth Pilkington