Harlequinade/ All On Her Own, Garrick Theatre *****

Amongst the commotion of Dench-mania, the excitement of the Winter's Tale has somewhat sidelined the Terrence Rattigan double bill it is in rep with. Getting you home on time isn't the only delightful thing about these two one act plays which together last 1 hour 40 minutes. Both are tear-inducing for totally different reasons. All On Her Own is a monologue from Zoë Wanamaker who plays a polite bourgeois lady who has a conversation with her dead husband. It plays like a horror movie, highlighting the loneliness and desperation of the character. This totally contrasts with the sharp and witty comedy Harlequinade that just delights in it's own silliness. Based around a touring theatre company, marital, professional and personal relationships are challenged in this farce about the problems yet joy of theatre. Branagh is genius in the role of Arthur Gosport, with Miranda Raison matching his skill in the role of his wife. The star of the show for me, however, was Hadley Fraser who, faced with the possibility of getting a line, becomes hysterically funny, whilst also showing off his unmatchable tenor in a final number which left me with a grin from ear to ear. It is unashamedly old fashioned and self-obsessed and is all the better for it.