The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh

I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t seen the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, and its sequel. Not to mention the TV series which involved celebrities travelling to India to see if they’d like to retire there.

Deborah Moggach’s heartwarming tale has done wonders for those who ‘have been young for a very long time’ and how younger people now perceive them. Unlike previous generations, today’s pensioners really don’t act their age. And with the time to be able to do what they want they are ready to experience new adventures.

And so seven septuagenarians turn up in Bangalore to live out their days in a residential hotel. Some are looking for sex, others just companionship, while others have deeper stories to tell.

With Bhangra music composed by Kuljit Bhamra and Oliver Fenwick’s atmospheric lighting, Edinburgh audiences are this week being transported to a colourful land, and in particular a dilapidated building from India’s colonial past, beautifully designed by Colin Richmond and more than a reminder of the building in which the film was set.

There is more than a nod to colonialism and ‘the English’ and their funny ways, but in a humorous, gentle way the play also deals with racism, sexuality and sex, relationships, grief…and call centres. Surprisingly, ageism never comes into it.

When the images were sent to me from this production I saw they featured Hayley Mills and Rula Lenska. And, at first, I was disappointed that these pictures were of the original cast and not the one now touring with the show.

Some of them, such as the ever lovable Paul Nicholas, are still touring, but I had no complaints about the current cast who could not have performed better.

I particularly liked Marlene Sidaway’s curmudgeonly Muriel, Belinda Lang’s cougar Madge, Graham Seed’s seedy Norman, and Tessa Peake-Jones’ portrayal of Evelyn, who arrives a timid mouse and ends up finding a new life and a new career, is both poignant and inspiring. While Nishad More as Sonny would give Dev Patel a run for his money any day of the week.

Under the direction of Lucy Bailey, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel gathers pace throughout the evening to leave a positive outlook on life for people of all ages.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until June 3.

Box Office: 0131 529 6000

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