Notes From Row H

Off West End Theatre Review – The Donmar Warehouse

Directed by the Donmar Warehouse’s Artistic Director, Tim Sheader (Hello, Dolly!), J.B Priestley’s marital comedy When We Are Married is playing at the Donmar Warehouse from 6^th December 2025 until 7^th February 2026. 

This play follows three married couples when they are told their marriages, which all took place on the same morning, are void due to a clerical error. It explores the ripple effect of this revelation, and their questioning of their relationships now they are free from their supposed ‘marital bonds.’ It scrutinises the dynamics of a marriage in a humorous way and subverts expectations when it comes to the male and female roles within that mould, again, making the whole play have a tinge of humour to it. 

The cast are superb. The three couples are: Siobhan Finneran and John Hodgkinson as Maria and Joseph Helliwell, Jim Howick and Samantha Spiro as Herbert and Clara Soppitt, and Sophie Thompson and Marc Wootton as Annie and Albert Parker. These three couples and their unique dynamics are played superbly well, and the actors give a witty and comic depth to the characters. Ron Cook as Henry Ormonroyd, Janice Connolly as Mrs Northrop, and Tori Allen-Martin as Lottie Grady provide needed comic relief and a lightness in the shape of a drunk photographer, a nosey housekeeper, a scorned woman. All of this combine to make a play that is joyful, nostalgic, and offers light-hearted escapism in the form of a well-crafted farce. 

The set, designed by Peter McKintosh (South Pacific), is simple yet elegant and effective, and the costumes by Anna Fleischle (The Constant Wife) are beautiful.  

This was the first time I have visited the Donmar Warehouse, and after this play I will definitely be going again. I really enjoyed this production of When We Are Married because the cast were incredible, and their comedic delivery was impeccable. Go and see it, if only for the giant aspidistra!

Written by Helena Featherstone