I had almost forgotten what a marvellous director Michael Grandage is, but I’ll never forget Neil Bartlett’s adaptations.  I have never before found Virginia Woolf’s novel of Orlando accessible until now.  Her 1928 novel opens with Orlando (Emma Corrin) aged 15 in 1593 where as a young man she encounters Queen Elizabeth I (Lucy Briers).  We’re told that Orlando lives in a 365 roomed mansion, presumably a room for every day of the year. 

There is a large chorus of middle aged Virginia Woolfs dressed in brown cardigans, brown tweed skirts and sensible brown lace up shoes.  Their hair is centre parted and pulled back into a bun and their black rimmed glasses are worn half way down their noses on a spectacle chain.  They will narrate Orlando’s story.  Interjecting fun and practicality is the figure of Deborah Findlay as Mrs Grimsditch, a sardonic commentator and dresser for Orlando who needs a costume change with each era.  She will bring us up to date with a topical quip like, “Ladies and Gentlemen . . . oops sorry, Everyone!”