Review: Felicity Kendal and Matthew Kelly star in ‘Filumena’ at Cambridge Arts Theatre

On now at the Cambridge Arts Theatre is Filumena, a classic Italian comedy written by Eduardo De Filippo and starring Felicity Kendal in the title role.

Appearing alongside her is Matthew Kelly and a host of other talented actors and actresses, all of whom play their parts very well.

Set in the ‘balmy Neapolitan heat’, this uplifting and at times very funny play - “a playwright’s love letter to Naples” as it’s described in the programme - is essentially about family.

At the start, Filumena (Felicity Kendal) lies on her deathbed, waiting to marry Domenico (Matthew Kelly), the man who has kept her as his mistress for 25 years.

But no sooner are they married, she makes a miraculous recovery - much to the surprise of her new, unwilling husband and his flirtatious younger lover, Diana, expertly played by Jodie Steele.

These first few scenes were very competently delivered, with Kendal and Kelly both emphatically displaying their well-honed acting skills.

Though instantly invested in the plot, I didn’t really start laughing out loud until the arrival of Filumena’s three long-lost sons - one of whom, Riccardo (Fabrizio Santino), was particularly amusing, with his exaggerated and very stereotypically Italian mannerisms and vocal and facial expressions.

Indeed, the play recreated southern Italy very well, thanks to its glorious set, elegant costumes, strongly-held Catholic beliefs, and typically exuberant gesticulations.

Sarah Twomey, as the maid Lucia, also deserves a mention - she has some great scenes and some very funny lines.

I remained more-or-less captivated throughout - as the energy level is well-maintained - and as the story slowly unravelled, it was revealed that one of Filumena’s three grown-up sons is actually Domenico’s, among other twists and turns.

But which one is his son, and does he go on to accept all three? Well, you’ll have to come along to find out!

Filumena runs at the Cambridge Arts Theatre until Saturday (9 November). It starts at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee today (Thursday, 7 November) and on Saturday.

Tickets, priced £25-£45, are available from cambridgeartstheatre.com.