MRS DALLOWAY
Wilton’s Music Hall
★★★★
“Cleverly constructed, this show certainly makes us think”
Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs Dalloway” is best known for its ‘stream-of-consciousness’ narrative, breaking away from the conventional style of popular literature at the time it was published in 1925. A risk perhaps, but one that Woolf pulled off successfully. A century later, it could be conceived as a bit of a risk to adapt it for the stage, but Kit Green – the co-writer and performer – pulls it off equally well. Along with writer and director Jen Heyes, the pair have devised what they call ‘cine-theatre’ to explore the many themes and characters of the novel. A mix of film and live performance, it also dips into cabaret, breaking the fourth wall with an over-generous amount of audience interaction. Slightly irreverent, the mix of style and media could be a mess. Kit Green, however, has the charisma and presence to clearly guide us through the essentially plotless action, as she wafts about the stage, dipping into the many characters that populate the day-in-the-life novel.
Clarissa Dalloway is getting ready for her party. An upper-class Londoner, she has the time and luxury to indulge in her own thoughts, which fluctuate mainly between disillusion, depression and delight. Predominantly the first two, it could all become a bit maudlin, but Green frequently breaks away into her own character, adding a further element of stand-up to the evening’s entertainment. Green’s is a natural performance, putting us at ease before ‘plunging us into the heart of the moment’, as she enigmatically and teasingly repeats. Once in that ‘heart’, she effortlessly adopts the various characters: the self-conscious Clarissa Dalloway; her world-weary, unimpressed maid; the disconnected Mr Dalloway; the enigmatic Peter Walsh who Clarissa regrettably let slip away in her youth; her old friend Sally with whom she shared a furtive kiss; the ill-fated war veteran Septimius Smith; and many others.
The timing is impeccable, made more impressive during Green’s dialogue with the characters projected onto a giant screen (all played by herself too). Monika Koeck’s video design dominates the back wall, providing setting and atmosphere as well as the supporting cast. At one moment we are in the thick of the party, another moment we are immersed deep into the traumatised mind of Septimius Smith. The conversations between screen and stage are deftly executed, often difficult to differentiate the live from the pre-recorded. Stephen Hull’s compositions and stirring sound design, along with Phil Saunders’ evocative lighting complement the narrative to produce multi-layered moments of magic.
Less successful are the attempts at bringing audience members into the story. An invitation to play party games is an unnecessary interruption to the flow of the show. And an eighties style disco number jars with its incongruity. A grand piano sits downstage, sadly underused. Green is a proficient pianist and songwriter, and we would like to see her at the keyboard more often.
The writing, despite Green’s anachronistic ad-libbing, is faithful to Woolf’s original, yet comes across as strikingly contemporary. Green’s own reflections cleverly emphasize Woolf’s enduring relevance, paradoxically asking the audience at one point if there was anything to relate to in the text. After all, the story is a hundred years old – written six years after a pandemic, during a time of social change and economic crisis, with five prime ministers in the space of as many years. “I mean” she quips “what can there possibly be to relate to today?”
“Mrs Dalloway” brilliantly places Woolf’s story in the modern day while managing to retain the sense of period. They never clash, and with the mix of comedy, music, video, dialogue and recital we are drawn into the minds of characters that Green makes very real. Funny and tender, occasionally traumatic, but tinged with hope. Cleverly constructed, this show certainly makes us think. Without the budget of a West End, star-driven, solo show it is richer in heart and emotion. And, as a result, quite spectacular in its own intimate way.
MRS DALLOWAY
Wilton’s Music Hall then UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 17th June 2026
by Jonathan Evans
Photography by Andrew AB
