The extraordinary and often shocking lives of the six Mitford sisters have long captivated historians and the public alike. Now, their story is unleashed on the stage in The Party Girls, a dazzling and provocative new production that premiered at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
This is not a polite period drama. The play fearlessly plunges into the deep political schisms and scandalous personal choices that made the sisters a microcosm of the turbulent 1930s. From fervent fascists to devoted socialists, their ideologies clashed with a violence that tore at the very fabric of their family.
A Family at War With Itself
The narrative pivots on the three most politically extreme sisters: Diana, the breathtaking beauty who left a wealthy heir for British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosley; Unity, whose fanatical admiration for Adolf Hitler led her to a devastating personal fate; and Jessica, the staunch communist who eloped to fight in the Spanish Civil War.
Caught in the crossfire are novelist Nancy, the observant chronicler of their world; Pamela, the quiet homebody; and Deborah, who would later become the Duchess of Devonshire. The play masterfully uses their contrasting perspectives to explore the era's seductive allure and profound moral failings.
Stylistic Flair and Theatrical Punch
The production is noted for its inventive staging. The sisters are often portrayed as a garrulous, squabbling chorus, their dialogue overlapping in a cacophony of privilege and conviction. This technique brilliantly conveys the chaotic energy of a household brimming with oversized personalities.
While the first act dazzles with wit and champagne-fuelled repartee, the second act takes a sobering turn. The party truly ends as the consequences of their alliances—particularly those of Diana and Unity—come crashing down, holding a mirror to the dark underbelly of appeasement and sympathy for the Nazi regime.
A Story For Our Times
Ultimately, The Party Girls is more than a history lesson. It's a gripping examination of how political ideology can infiltrate and shatter the closest of bonds. It questions the responsibilities of privilege and the perils of treating politics as a fashionable hobby, themes that resonate powerfully with a modern audience.
This is a must-see for anyone fascinated by one of Britain's most infamous families. The Marlowe Theatre provides the perfect stage for a play that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally charged, leaving the audience to ponder the Mitford legacy long after the final curtain call.
