THE TELEGRAPH
*** 3 stars
My Darling Clemmie is a moving production about Winston Churchill's complex relationship with his wife.
Winston Churchill’s claim that his most brilliant achievement was to persuade his wife to marry him is given ample support in Hugh Whitemore’s play My Darling Clemmie. Following the success of his TV film, The Gathering Storm, which focused on the turbulent nature of the marriage between Churchill and his wife, Clementine, Whitemore returns to this fascinating partnership with a one woman show.
Told exclusively through the intimate recollections of an older Clementine, we are guided through the emotional and political harmony of their early years together, as well as the increasingly fraught years of the relationship as wider political forces, not least Churchill’s rise to power and the change this brings to his personal manner, penetrate the intimate bond between them.
Rohan McCullough offers a steadfast performance as 'Pussycat’ to Churchill’s 'Mr Pug’, striking a highly convincing balance between utter devotion and astute diplomacy in her approach to her husband, a man, who like most workaholics emerges as almost impossible to live with. A telling moment comes when Clementine is asked how Churchill manages to have so many interests, to which she replies, “He never does anything he doesn’t want to do, and always has someone else to clear up the mess afterwards”.
Whitemore’s dexterity as a playwright surfaces as he manages to subtly draw the delicate negotiations and sacrifices found at the heart of their relationship, with nearly all concessions, predictability, coming from Clementine. Churchill, it seems, held as little faith in appeasement privately as he did politically…it is a moving production of a complex marriage told with skilful lucidity.
THE BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
*** 3 stars
Telling the story of Churchill through the eyes of his devoted wife, Clementine, actress Rohan McCullough gives a poised and delicate performance. From her first sight of the young man with the 'piercing blue eyes', through his work in politics, and time at war, the birth of their five children and the loss of two of them Whitemore's writing delivers a poignant portrayal of the dedicated bond between husband and wife.
Although she finds the best way to approach her famous and relentless husband is to resort to writing to him in order to receive his full attention, she is nothing but the dutiful wife. With an insightful overview of the life of such a notorious figure and an intimate performance, fans of the great man will not be disappointed.
ONE4REVIEW
**** 4 stars
Rohan McCullough has the demeanour and calm dignity to convince immediately in the role she plays as Clementine Churchill. Hugh Whitemore’s play charts Clementine’s life story from childhood to Winston Churchill’s death in 1965. This is a huge span of time. Whitemore concentrates on the highs and lows of the Churchill’s long marriage
Perhaps the greatest high point in her life was the whirlwind romance which led to their marriage, although they did have a cursory meeting 4 years earlier. It is difficult to appreciate when we see archive film of Churchill as an elderly statesman what a catch he was as a young man celebrated as a heroic adventurer with a promising political career ahead of him. Their personal low point was the death of a daughter as a young child towards the end of World War 1.
Throughout the play, under the gentle direction of Gareth Armstrong, it is clear that Clementine had a strong influence on her husband’s political career giving advice and support when needed most. Rohan McCullough’s performance is riveting, lightening the mood with humorous anecdotes whilst also conveying the dark, unhappy periods.
The play, giving insights into the human side of Winston Churchill’s personality through the eyes of his wife and soul partner, is an absorbing experience.
The SKINNY
**** 4 Stars
“Behind every great man stands a great woman.”
There are few greater men in British history than Winston Churchill, the legendary wartime leader who inspired his country to take arms against one of the greatest evils known to humankind and, ultimately, led her to victory.
Nevertheless, for many Britons two generations removed from the Second World War, Churchill can often appear a relic of Britain’s old aristocratic past, an imperialist who opposed Indian independence and who was defeated in the 1945 general election which ushered in the UK’s greatest social achievement: the National Health Service.
The greatest success of My Darling Clemmie is, therefore, in humanizing Britain’s great war-hero; portraying Churchill as something deeper than simply a great orator and tactician. This is the story of the man behind the office, told by his wife Clementine. It is an affectionate portrait of a sometimes shy, always vivacious personality from the perspective of a deeply dedicated, loving wife.
There’s an honesty about My Darling Clemmie which is surprisingly touching. Such is Clementine’s palpable affection for her husband, her monologue carelessly reveals the little insecurities, imperfections and quirks of Churchill’s personality that she has long taken for granted.
Rohan McCulloch’s nuanced performance as Clemmie Churchill capture’s perfectly a stiff upper-lipped stoicism and earnest innocence of an era swept away by the radical social and political movements of the 1960s. It is at times truly beautiful – and, as tragedy hits the Churchill household, offers a genuinely moving insight into the lives of two people who left great footprints in the path of Britain’s history.
EDINBURGH FESTIVALS MAGAZINE
**** 4 Stars
It’s quite a challenge to pull off a one-woman show, yet Rohan McCullough does so with sophisticated ease. The actress provides an entertaining and compelling performance that gives the audience an insight into the devoted and brilliant woman behind one of Britain’s (and indeed, the world’s) most celebrated and loved figures.
Winston Churchill’s own infamous wit is displayed throughout, and his love for his wife was certainly made clear by his claim that his “most brilliant achievement was [his] ability to persuade [his] wife to marry” him.
Rohan McCullough’s moving dialogue brings the audience to both laughter and tears during her captivating and convincing performance. This show will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in Winston Churchill, and the woman who helped him through the many struggles in his political and personal life. Confiding in the audience in what is set up to be a drawing room, McCullough manages to make the audience feel as though she is giving them their own private address.
The writer, Hugh Whitemore, continues to display his understanding of the conditions of Clementine and Winston’s relationship, following the success of his award-winning film, ‘Gathering Storm’. The difficulty of their relationship is not looked over, and whilst their love for one another is evident, the necessity for Clemmie to be forever compromising and negotiating during their fifty-seven year marriage makes Churchill seem an almost impossible character to live with.
The play is delivered as skilfully as it is written, and one cannot help but feel this will be another success for Hugh Whitemore.