The indomitable Miriam Margolyes is the archetype Grande Dame, oozing charm and wit.

Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre
29 March, 2015

Miriam Margolyes skips onto stage and before even uttering a word, her presence, defined by an extraordinary shape and size and a trademark grin, receives heartfelt applause and rousing cheers.

The stage is adorned as a bohemian drawing room; there’s a chaise longue and an old arm chair, reinforced by great piles of books and peppered with memorabilia, and a grand piano. It is the perfect settling for Margolyes, in her very unique and clever way, to share her loves and passions – great literature, fabulous stories, close family and dear friends – with her audience.  Classy nostalgia reigns and, whilst very few watching are likely to be ardent Harry Potter fans, all are caught by her spell.

She is accompanied on stage by John Martin on piano and his music and singing complements the mood.  Unfortunately, he is also required to perform a few character roles and, despite Margolyes’ great warmth and affection for her “chum”, these moments often feel rather wooden and awkward. But he is her foil and watches on with adoration.

Essentially this is a...