Jenny Seagrove is known to millions as Jo Mills, star of the BBC’s most watched drama Judge John Deed alongside Martin Shaw. Her numerous other starring roles on television include playing the title in A Woman of Substance. Jenny’s extensive West End theatre credits have seen her play lead roles in every Shaftesbury Avenue playhouse including the title role in the hugely successful production of Somerset Maugham’s THE CONSTANT WIFE which, due to record sales, transferred from the Apollo Theatre to the larger Lyric Theatre (both on Shaftesbury Avenue) for a double extended season.
Starring alongside Jenny is the highly acclaimed Anthony Andrews whose prolific and diverse career has seen him play a myriad of roles: he received worldwide recognition and many awards for his role as Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead Revisited – which is currently being re-filmed due to its huge international success; his many films include The Scarlet Pimpernel, Under The Volcano, Haunted and Lost In Siberia which he co-produced and which received a Golden Globe Award nomination; and major stage roles include Peter Hall’s production of Coming In To Land with Maggie Smith at the National, Forty Years On, My Fair Lady, Woman In White, and the West End production of Ibsen’s Ghosts with Francesca Annis.
The 1940 film version of this dark and steamy psychological thriller of revenge and deceit received 7 Oscar nominations including ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Best Actress’ for Bette Davis, while the 1929 film also won an Oscar nomination.
When the wife of a Malaysian rubber planter is witnessed murdering a local playboy, she claims it was self-defence. Convinced of her innocence, her husband hires a family friend to defend her. However, a mysterious letter subsequently comes to light, casting doubt on her integrity and threatening to cost her everything.
“Alan Strachan’s meticulous revival.” Michael Billington – The Guardian
“A thoughtful and intriguing production.” Paul Taylor – The Independent
“Splendidly entertaining. ‘The Letter’ has received a first class delivery.” Charles Spencer – The Daily Telegraph
“Powerful…thrilling. A fine production.” Paul Callan – The Daily Express
“Irresistable…I listened and watched with an almost permanent smile of pleasure.” Nicholas de Jongh – The Evening Standard
“Somerset Maugham’s cracking good yarn. It’s just the thing for these hot steamy nights and hits its target assuredly.” Tim Walker - Sunday Telegraph
“Alan Strachan’s atmospheric, meticulous production.” Georgina Brown – Mail On Sunday
“The Letter is well worth reopening.” Paul Taylor - Independent
“One sensed an audience becoming gripped by good old fashioned playmaking and a production that pays Maugham the courtesy of taking him seriously.” Charles Spencer - Daily Telegraph
“A first class production with many pleasures.”
David Lister - The Independent
“As gripping as super-glue. A period piece with punch given new life by Jenny Seagrove and Anthony Andrews." Bill Hagerty - The Sun
**** “It’s all rather fun.” Kieron Quirk – Time Out
“There is nothing like a good story. When a craftsman structures a play, it is timeless and holds the suspense with discovery to the very end. A show that grabs the audience.” Blanche Marvin – London Theatre Review
“Masterclass from Maugham. Despite their period settings Maugham tales of deceit and desire are as topical as today’s headlines.” Francis Wheen - Evening Standard