Review: Accolade serves up 'gripping drama' at Theatre Royal Windsor

It’s hard to believe that Accolade was written 75 years ago.

Emlyn Williams’ play, which would have pushed the boundaries in the 50s when it was first staged, feels so current, it could reflect any number of recent trial-by-media cases.

Following a celebrated writer on the eve of his knighthood, the spotlight bypasses his achievements and instead shines itself brightly on his double life.

The Jekyll and Hyde writer in question is soon to be Sir Will Trenting, also known as Bill Trent, played brilliantly by Ayden Callaghan.

Honeysuckle Weeks, who plays his wife Rona, is magnetic on stage, transforming in front of our eyes from glory seeker to complicit partner to a force to be reckoned with.

The action starts on New Years Day 1950, as the honours list is announced, then fast forwards three months to the night before the presentation at Buckingham Palace, when It comes to light that there was an incident at one of the many ‘indecent parties’ that Sir Will frequented.

The consequent scenes of betrayal and blackmail shock and provoke, as Williams doesn’t pass judgement but instead forces the audience to confront our own values and prejudices, reminding us that perhaps ‘we all have something that we are ashamed of’.

The gripping drama is sprinkled with witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud one-liners, which amuse and stimulate in equal measure, and there are some brilliant comic turns from the supporting characters.

Accolade is yet another delight from director Sean Mathias, who also directed Hamlet and Frank and Percy at The Theatre Royal, both starring Sir Ian McKellen.

From the performances to the direction, from the script to the staging, to the highly effective use of sound and lighting, it’s fair to say, the show deserves an accolade.

Accolade is showing at Theatre Royal Windsor until Saturday, June 15.