The casting in Nina Raine's production is what really brings it to life though, with two nicely contrasting styles from the actresses getting most of the laughs: Greig is of course a master of the one-liner with perfect comic timing who can also provide a grounding presence at the centre of the play; while as her growing-old-disgracefully friend Frances, Doon Mackichan is pretty much fearless - I won't give away the play's funniest scene but suffice it to say nobody who's seen Jumpy will forget "The Routine" in a hurry. The Royal Court brings back a couple of its young stars from shows Upstairs to have a go on the Donwstairs stage: The brilliant Bel Powley from Tusk Tusk is daughter-from-hell Tilly, while Wanderlust's James Musgrave is her out-of-his-depth boyfriend Josh. There's funny appearances from Seline Hizli as Tilly's pregnant friend and Sarah Woodward as Josh's terrifying mother. And towards the end Hilary gets some unexpected attention from young student Cam (Michael Marcus.) I may or may not have been very jealous of her.
And he gets his kit off. Aw, the Royal Court takes care of us, doesn't it? Anyway this is undoubtedly recommended -
vanessaw also loved it despite the fact that, as the mother of a 13-year-old girl, by the end she was practically rocking in horror reciting the mantra "my daughter won't be like that, my daughter won't be like that." The show's already sold out - could it be the next Royal Court play to have a life further afield? It wouldn't surprise me.Jumpy by April De Angelis is booking until the 19th of November at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs (returns only.)
