The Information on: `The Triumph of Love'

What Is It?

James Macdonald's beautifully judged production of Marivaux's 18th-century satire The Triumph of Love (1732), about a cross-dressing Princess, Leonide.

Who's In It?

A superb cast includes Helen McCrory as the compelling, sexy Leonide, with Linda Bassett excellent as the puritanical sister.

What They Say About It

"As Macdonald's production entertainingly demonstrates, the funniest aspects of the play arise from the shamelessly disingenuous way in which Leonide persuades the egg-head couple to let her stick around long enough to work on the Prince, who is played here by Chiwetel Ejiofor with a lovely sweet- natured puzzlement," Paul Taylor, The Independent.

"The final 15 minutes are as fine as anything that the excellent Macdonald has ever achieved, a brilliantly poised blend of laughter and deep hurt, elaborate fiction and true feeling," Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph.

"Macdonald, normally the most impressive of young directors, may have a sense of humour secreted about his person, but it needs new batteries. His cast play in a clash of comic styles - the farcical, satirical, realistic and melodramatic - and none come at you with any force or conviction," Nicholas de Jongh, Evening Standard.

Where You Can See It

The Triumph of Love is at the Almeida, London N1 (0171-359 4404) to 25 Sept