Buzzing in the Bridge House: Jacqui Weale, Ellie Ward, Michael Ansley, Becky Lumb, Rebecca Pickering, and Tom Thornhill.
The Diary of a Provincial Lady is a stage adaptation by Ellie Ward of the novel by E. M. Delafield, an author beloved of the late novelist Jilly Cooper, who had been excited by this production. Rightly so, as this Diary was a joy to see performed at the Bridge House Theatre in Penge, on a run between 4th and 15th November. The E of the writer’s name is for Edmée, incidentally, a revelation often overlooked by authors in times when making clear that the writing was by a woman might harm the chances of publication or being read. The novel, published by Persephone Books, has been described as a comedy of manners. Certainly it is, on stage, a very good comedy, and full of manners, with the occasional slip into double entendre and slapstick.
The flyer for the show invited the audience to ‘Meet the Bridget Jones of the 1930’s’, and rightly so, as there is a clear connection, as the ups and downs, gossip, pettiness and perils of provincial life by moneyed, but not overly well-off, gentry unfold. The cast seemed larger than the three principals, because they doubled up as even more characters, sometimes crossing genders to do so, and created beautiful cameos as, for example, Vicar, cook, and French governess.
Writer Ellie Ward, standing in for the unwell Becky Lumb, did a remarkable job of being the Provincial Lady, a charming, wry and reflective character with an almost monosyllabic husband, Robert, played by Michael Ansley, when he wasn’t being the pompous actor, Jasper von Nimismeyer, and other parts. Lady Boxe, Rebecca Pickering, was a lovely, full-of-herself minor aristocrat, again, in between playing other parts. The simple set provided an easy transition into a drawing room fit for these characters, the actors figuratively and physically wearing many hats. A smattering of well-judged audience participation also figured into what was a very well-balanced production, augmented by another cameo appearance as butler by the dapper Tom Thornhill, when away from his off-stage role.
In conclusion, Delafield, the writing, production and this cast between them, magicked up another world for us to dip into and be lost in for two life-affirming hours. Thank you.
Tickets here.
Darren Weale
9 November 2025
Bromley Buzz 