Review: Intimate Apparel at the Donmar Warehouse

29 Jun

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)

Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel receives a beautifully staged production at the Donmar Warehouse, brought vividly to life by Lynette Linton’s sharp and compassionate direction. Set in 1905 New York, the play follows Esther, a 35-year-old seamstress with dreams of opening a beauty salon, who has resigned herself to a life alone. That is, until a letter from a stranger changes everything.

Samira Wiley delivers a stunning performance as Esther, capturing her yearning, resilience, and vulnerability. Wiley makes it impossible not to root for Esther through every high and heartbreak. The supporting cast is equally strong, drawing out the complex social and racial dynamics of the period.

Linton’s direction ensures that the audience is deeply invested in Esther’s journey, and the moments of music and song from composer and musical director XANA are woven through the piece with care, enhancing the storytelling rather than distracting from it.

Alex Berry’s set design is era-appropriate and effective. The set makes clever use of vertical space, with a mezzanine level where we see George (played by Kadiff Kirwan) in Panama as he sends letters to Esther, adding a sense of distance and longing. A ladder from the stage also leads to a fabric shop frequented by Esther, creating a dynamic, multi-level environment.

While Gino Ricardo Green’s video design is mostly well-judged, the projections of cursive writing as Esther and George’s letters are read aloud sometimes appear before the audience hears the words, momentarily pulling focus and distracting when you accidentally read ahead.

Intimate Apparel is a powerful piece of theatre, given a strong staging that honours Pulitzer Prize winner Nottage’s writing and the quiet strength of its heroine.

Intimate Apparel runs at the Donmar Warehouse until 9th August 2025.

Tickets are available here: https://www.donmarwarehouse.com/whats-on/34/by-lynn-nottage/intimate-apparel