Stage Notes: How the Other Half Loves, The Old Vic

Three couples, two homes, one deliciously tangled web of lies, class anxiety, and marital misunderstanding. Alan Ayckbourn’s classic 1969 comedy How the Other Half Loves returns to the stage this month. Performed at The Old Vic in its intended in-the-round staging, the audience sits up-close to the chaos unfolding before them. Dorothy Atkinson, star of Endeavour and countless beloved Ayckbourn productions, stars alongside Roger Allam and an outstanding ensemble. It’s raucous, clever, and hilarious – and there’s nowhere to hide…

How The Other Half Loves, The Old Vic: What To Expect

Dorothy stars as Fiona Foster, and below she gives us the inside scoop on the production.

Dorothy Atkinson and Roger Allam in rehearsals for How the Other Half Loves at The Old Vic 2026. (Manuel Harlan)

What’s The Plot?

We’re in the suburbs of England in 1970, where the class system is still clearly defined. ‘Three couples, all the men work at the same firm,’ Dorothy explains. ‘Two people amongst them are having an affair, and then there are two dinner parties with culinary and etiquette disasters, followed by a catalogue of misunderstandings whilst everyone tries to keep up appearances.’

This is the play that made Alan Ayckbourn’s name. ‘It was his first big hit that cemented him as a known and loved playwright – the first one that transferred to the West End and Broadway,’ Dorothy notes. And the secrets-and-lies premise remains utterly relevant today. ‘Secrets and lies are always relevant,’ Dorothy agrees. ‘The play is an examination of marriage, particularly traditional heterosexual marriage, which can involve so many unspoken rules. It’s good to look into that and assess how far we’ve come and how far we haven’t.’

The revival is directed by Phillip Breen, whose respect for the text is, according to Dorothy, inspirational. ‘He has a massive brain and a very wide breadth of reference,’ she reflects. ‘His approach to the writing is really brilliant. He really understands the world of the play and the characters, and he’s indefatigable and very generous.’

What makes How the Other Half Loves particularly challenging is its intimate staging – as Ayckbourn intended. ‘You have to be a team player – there’s so much to the script, but it is a farce at heart, and you can’t do farce unless you’re all on the same page,’ Dorothy says. ‘You also have to be prepared for really intricate and specific language. And we are playing in the round, so the audience are very close and involved. There’s no hiding behind the furniture.’

Ayesha Antoine and Rowan Polonski in rehearsals for How the Other Half Loves at The Old Vic 2026. (Manuel Harlan)

The Cast

Dorothy plays Fiona Foster, one third of the domestic turmoil at the heart of the play. ‘My character is a middle-class housewife who fills her days with organising her husband’s life,’ she explains. ‘She’s a smart woman trapped in a safe, affluent but ultimately dull existence. We meet her at a time when she is challenging her boredom and frustrations, and she has made poor decisions that she’s suffering the consequences of.’

Costume plays an essential role in bringing Fiona to life, and Dorothy was clearly delighted with the results. ‘We’re lucky enough to have the brilliant designer Rob Howell, and it’s such an important part of the process for me to get the clothes right. The costumes are completely authentic and characterful. Fiona would have a good budget, so that’s reflected in the materials Rob selected. The care and detail is astonishing—they’re all made to measure.’

Alongside Dorothy, Roger Allam (Endeavour, The Thick of It) anchors the cast, with Ayesha Antoine, Laura Elsworthy, Adam Gillen, and Rowan Polonski completing the three-couple puzzle. The full cast is as follows:

• Roger Allam as Frank Foster
• Dorothy Atkinson as Fiona Foster
• Ayesha Antoine as Teresa Phillips
• Laura Elsworthy as Mary Featherstone
• Adam Gillen as William Featherstone
• Francesca Isherwood as Understudy Teresa Phillips/Mary Featherstone
• Rowan Polonski as Bob Phillips
• Riad Richie as Understudy Bob Phillips/William Featherstone
• Abigail Williams as Understudy Fiona Foster
• Jolyon Young as Understudy Frank Foster

Laura Elsworthy and Adam Gillen in rehearsals for How the Other Half Loves at The Old Vic 2026. (Manuel Harlan)

The Venue

How the Other Half Loves takes over the Old Vic, a place Dorothy is fond of. ‘It’s really lovely,’ she tells us. ‘It’s a very inclusive and welcoming building. I’m very aware of its history and all that has come before, so we have to get our game faces on. It’s also a really cool venue – the original features are all there, but I love all the new design choices. It’s very beautiful.’

But the real magic here is the in-the-round staging, something Dorothy has experience with from her many collaborations with Alan Ayckbourn himself. ‘I have been lucky enough to work with the man himself on several of his plays,’ she recalls. ‘I learned so much from him when I was starting out. He’s a brilliant director and a brilliant man all round. He really gave me so much confidence and understands the human condition – he sees the sublime in the ridiculous.’

Dorothy Atkinson in rehearsals for How the Other Half Loves at The Old Vic 2026. (Manuel Harlan)

The Takeaway

What will linger as you leave the theatre? Dorothy hopes it’s questions and laughter in equal measure. ‘I hope they [the audience] have laughed and winced in equal measure. I hope they enjoy being taken back to 1970. I hope every age group will appreciate afresh the genius playwright that is Alan Ayckbourn. And hopefully they’ll leave talking about what keeps people together.’

Eat & Drink Nearby

Looking to debrief or refuel after the show? Dorothy has some local recommendations. ‘There are fantastic options within the theatre itself,’ she says. ‘There’s also a banging fish and chip shop round the corner. Loads of options on Lower Marsh Street – you’re kind of spoilt for choice.’

Tickets

How the Other Half Loves runs 29 July–19 September 2026 at The Old Vic (103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB). Tickets start from £14.50pp.

BOOK IT