Waiting in the Wings (play)

Set in a retirement home for actresses, it focuses on a feud between residents Lotta Bainbridge and May Davenport, who once both loved the same man.

[2] It was directed by Margaret Webster and starred Sybil Thorndike, Lewis Casson, Marie Lohr and Graham Payn.

Michael Redgrave put together "a starry cast led by... an amazing gathering of old actresses, many of whom had been stars when Noel was just starting out.

"[3] Coward later wrote that in the pre-London tour to Dublin, Liverpool and Manchester the play was received "with heart-warming enthusiasm by both the public and the critics."

[citation needed] In 1987 the play was made into a Danish film titled Sidste Akt by director Edward Fleming starring Birgitte Federspiel as Lotta Bainbridge and Mime Fønss as May Davenport.

[citation needed] The action of the play takes place in "The Wings" charity home for retired actresses.

Perry, the secretary to the charity that runs The Wings, has invited Zelda, a journalist friend, to visit the home.

Miss Archie, the superintendent of The Wings, warns him that this will lead to trouble, but he is prepared to risk it for the valuable publicity he expects to attract for the home.

Other residents, unaware that Zelda is from the press, make indiscreetly rude remarks about the charity committee that runs the home.

"[6] However, critic John Simon wrote: "A seemingly inconsequential piece... the play is a wise and compassionate address of the problems of aging and death that confront us all.

"[1] Sheridan Morley wrote, "the play has moments of near-Chekhovian dignity and melancholy, and insights into the process of ageing for people who have made careers out of youth".