Aline Waites

Forgive me if I throw my hat in the air. It is so unusual to encounter actual wit nowadays. But here it is at the New End Theatre – mostly uttered by the brilliantly British Jonathan Rigby as Patrick.

In his penthouse flat in Shepherds Bush, Patrick – an ex psychiatrist and current biographer - has organised an intimate drinks party inviting his latest subject, Alfredo – a South American VIP, president of an imaginary country called Cambio Wechsel. George Savvides as Alfredo is a bouncy little man, thrilled that his life is being committed to history but is curious to know why Patrick should spend his life inhabiting the minds of other people. “Are you not interested in women?” he says “You are not a liberal democrat are you?” Their relationship is one of the cornerstones of the play.

The other is Augusta, who arrives next. She is a beautiful female painter and ex model, played by Brazilian actress Antonia Frering. Alfredo immediately comes on to her, wasting no time telling her that his wife has just died. But suddenly Augusta realises that the two of them have a past history and here is the central confrontation of the piece. Something happened twenty three years ago – Alfredo denies all knowledge of it – he wasn’t even in the country. Who is lying? Could either of them have changed their basic personalities?

The fourth member of the party is Augusta’s pop star son, Daniel (James Palmer) – an eco warrior (his big hit is a song called ‘I won’t survive’) Like the others he has a secret to impart.

Despite all the drama it is comedy that rules here. Much of it arising from the Wildean aphorisms and nonchalance of the English man that constantly undercuts the tempestuous raging of the South Americans.

Norman Coates has designed an elegant, yet cosy setting with all leather furniture and dressings in russet and brown. The whole dominated by the huge modern paintings on each wall.

This is an entertaining and sophisticated comedy drama impeccably directed by Chrys Salt.