Review: INFAMOUS, Jermyn Street Theatre

Photo credit: Steve Gregson

Emma Hamilton, born in 1765, was an iconic figure in 18th century England and, renowned for her beauty and charisma, she became the mistress of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Emma's captivating allure and social grace (including her ‘attitudes’ – Emma would strike various poses, embodying different characters and emotions, while dressed in elaborate costumes and surrounded by appropriate props and backdrops) made her a prominent figure in London society. Her life, marked by scandal and extravagance, is usually remembered because of Nelson; she doesn’t often get her own story.

They say that history is written by the victors, which is perhaps why Emma’s story has faded into the background (not something that could ever have been said about her during her lifetime) but Infamous, written by April De Angelis and directed by Michael Oakley, allows us to see Emma herself, along with other important female figures in her life, and we can finally get an understanding of just who she was and what she did.

In the first act, we’re with Emma and her mother, Mrs Cadogan (played by Rose and Caroline Quentin respectively – a mother and daughter duo themselves, which works brilliantly in terms of casting and their on-stage chemistry) in 1798. Emma has the world at her feet, with a rich, well-connected husband, and with Nelson about to arrive into her waiting, welcoming arms.

The second act takes us to 1815, and things are very different. Nelson’s dead and all Emma has to remember him by is his daughter, Horatia, who doesn’t want to be with her at all. Now older Emma is played by Caroline Quentin while Rose takes on the role of Horatia – a clever switch, since Horatia is actually Emma’s secret child. We’ve literally seen the daughter turn into the mother with a daughter of her own – it’s not subtle, but it’s fun nonetheless.

And that’s what really makes Infamous enjoyable. The history is fascinating but it’s the wit and humour in De Angelis’ script that really moves this play along. Caroline Quentin is magnificent as the poor, put-upon Mrs Cadogan – called a housekeeper by her own daughter – with double entendres and malaprops aplenty. As older Emma, she’s a joy, bringing a playful naughtiness that contrasts beautifully with the sadness lying just underneath the surface, dulled by too much wine and a tangible disappointment at how her life has turned out.

Rose Quentin plays young Emma as a prickly, spoilt, but somehow still naïve and hopeful young woman who has everything ahead of her but can’t seem to understand that it’s she who has to work hard to keep hold of it. As Horatia, the role couldn’t be more different – Horatia is quiet, timid, unassuming, and compared to Emma’s spirit and tenacity, she could be seen as boring but Rose Quentin’s performance (as well as some excellent one-liners from De Angelis) keeps her just the right side of too pious. She, more than any other character, is the one that most audience members are going to see themselves in, so it’s fitting that she’s the one who gets the most out of the story and lives to dance another day.

Infamous gives a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening and a reminder that history isn’t just what happened; it’s also who made it happen. It’s surprising, funny, and heartbreaking, like all the best stories should be.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Lisamarie Lamb

Infamous plays at Jermyn Street Theatre until 7 October, with further information here.