Review: The Country Girl****

Premiered more than 50 years ago on Broadway and later an Oscar-winning film with Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby, The Country Girl is still the most popular of Clifford Odets' stage plays.

A powerful, psychologically complex piece, the plot revolves around young risk-taking director, Bernie Dodd, who offers Frank Elgin, a washed-out alcoholic actor, the chance of a comeback in a Broadway play.

Believing Elgin's wife, Georgie, is to blame for his career decline, he strikes up a more than stormy relationship with "the witch on the broom" as he calls her. As the play heads towards its first night, Elgin tries to conquer his demons, with Dodd's and Georgie's efforts to keep him off the booze resulting in dramatic consequences that could affect their personal lives.

As the Country Girl of the title, Jenny Seagrove has created a brilliant, believable, supportive wife who drives this production. As the play progresses, we see the strength of her character evolve and come into its own.

In the demanding role of Elgin, Martin Shaw is exceptional and ticks every box, and Mark Letheren brings to life the fast-talking, young and dynamic Bernie Dodds' exhausting, obsessive love of theatre combined with his mistrust of women.

With a strong supporting cast and some slick, innovative staging, The Country Girl is a "must see".

To August 7.