Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at Mayflower Theatre

I’m sure you can imagine how that sentence ended.

That was just one of the many lines that induced raucous laughter from audiences at The Mayflower Theatre on Tuesday night, thanks to the cast of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The stage adaptation of Deborah Moggach’s popular book burst onto the stage in a pop of colour, humour, and warmth.

The story follows a motley crew of British pensioners who have decided to opt for a change of scene, many of whom are widowed or are trying to navigate their lonely twilight years.

They feel like an inconvenience to their families so are sent to a ‘residential’ hotel in India - the word ‘hotel’ used lightly.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is ‘being run to the ground’ by enthusiastic Sonny Kapoor (Nishad More) following his father’s death.

He’s juggling the management of the hotel and its new residents, and his relationship with his coddling mother Mrs Kapoor (Rekha John-Cheriyan) and his girlfriend Sahani (Shila Iqbal).

Said residents are, undoubtedly, stereotypes of a certain generation.

Each cast member played their role perfectly, and although there were a few lines people may have raised their eyebrows at (particularly from grumpy, Conservative caricature Norman, played by Graham Seed), nothing said was meant maliciously.

READ MORE: Daily Echo review of Sister Act at Mayflower Theatre

It all contributed to the nature of the play, and the stereotypes the cast members were representing.

And to be quite frank, all the characters raised their eyebrows at some of Norman’s comments, which only caused further laughter.

Norman was joined on his journey by anxious Evelyn (Tessa Peake-Jones), a worried widow working up the courage to leave her comfort zone.

Belinda Lang plays the vivacious vixen Madge, who is on the hunt for a rich man, while smug married couple Douglas (Paul Nicholas) and Jean (Eileen Battye) embark on many adventures in India, despite something else bubbling beneath the surface.

Dorothy (Paola Dionisotti) starts her journey in India as an outcast from the group as she scurries away to mysterious places as she uncovers new truths.

Meanwhile, ‘Tooting local’ Muriel (Marlene Sidaway) steals the show with her hilarious one-liners and habits many of us would recognise from our own grandparents.

She exudes frankness but is kind, especially to the ‘lowly’ cleaner at the hotel, which changes people’s perspectives entirely.

For me, she stole the show and I was constantly drawn to her; watching her mannerisms and her delivery of speech.

This show celebrates age while shining a light on the difficulties of getting older.

Loneliness and uncomfortable change are often cited in what can only be described as a moving performance.

At its heart, it is a poignant show packed with humour.

Not only do the characters battle physical ailments, but mental ones too, all while finding love, excitement, and mischief together.

Love truly is for all ages, for the ages.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel runs at the Mayflower until May 27.