27 Feb 2026
Deborah Heath is at the Maltings Theatre for Breakaway Theatre Company’s latest production…
‘The Actress’ is one of Peter Quilter’s most performed plays and with very good reason.
Set mostly in the dressing room of Lydia Martin on the night of her final performance before retiring, it explores her complicated relationships; with the theatre world itself and her nearest/not so dearest. This is a play written by someone who really knows what it’s like to experience the pre-show flurry and the post-show blues. However, it is a widely appealing script, not just to those who have been involved in the performing arts on or backstage, but to anyone who has reached a point in their life where they need a change.
It is therefore a marvellous choice of director Lesley Cowland – a comedy drama that will have the audience chuckling and perhaps reflecting on some deeper issues.
Set design strikes the right balance between simplicity and detail. The black box space is divided into two with the dressing room taking up two thirds of the performance rea and Lydia’s “stage”, the remaining third. This area, set for a production of ‘The Cherry Orchard’, is appropriately minimal, drawing our attention to the main playing space. The props for this dressing room have been well selected to give an insight into Lydia’s character with great attention to detail from the drinks trolley to the fabulous dressing robes on the rail.
It transported me back to my last dressing room; the complicated feelings before curtain-up and the reflective moments in the interval.
The cast of seven are a strong team and I was pleased to see many familiar Breakaway faces. As central character Lydia, Elaine Hartless carries the play confidently. Make no mistake, this is a massive part not just in terms of lines but emotionally too, not least because Elaine herself is making a final performance prior to moving away from St Albans! Her moments with ex-husband Paul, played by Malcolm Coakley with his signature strong stage presence and character realisation, are a joy to behold.
Newcomer Louise Warner demonstrates some lovely facial reactions, Shelley Healey’s energy as agent Harriet is spot on and in fact this is her best portrayal yet. David Martin is delightful as adoring ancient fiancé Charles and Ruth Ling gives a sympathetic performance as Lydia’s side-lined daughter. As ever, Clare Waller’s quietly assured performance is utterly believable and she has been particularly well cast as long-suffering dresser Katherine.
Lesley Cowland has established some lovely moments of character-based visual humour in the play, a highlight for me being Paul, Harriet and the brandy pouring. It is clear that cast are a strong team and clearly having fun performing together.
Taken at face value, this is a very entertaining play with some great moments of identification for any performers in the audience, such as our need for surrounding ourselves with people we can “perform” to.
However, as a Chekhov fan, what makes ‘The Actress’ special for me, is the way the author has incorporated the themes of ‘The Cherry Orchard’ and drawn parallels between this and the turning point in Lydia’s own story. It also tackles the pertinent issues in the theatre about the lack of decent roles for women past the age of 40.
“When you get to a certain age there aren’t enough roles and you have to wait for the call.”
There are also some interesting explorations of what it means to have a calling and how to judge the right time to retire.
“I want to leave while I’m still at the top or at least while I can still see the view.”
With tickets for ‘The Actress’ at just £15, you can be sure of a good return for your money. This is a well-chosen, entertaining play that will leave you smiling and reflecting on your own life choices. I look forward to seeing what Breakaway bring us next.
