The Cottage
by Sandy Rustin
Directed by Risa Brainin
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
September 5, 2025
Jordan Coughtry, Andrea San Miguel, Isa Venere, Jack Dryden, Jihan Haddad
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Rep is launching their new season with a wild, physically demanding and precisely timed relationship comedy in the vein of Noël Coward, but as if Coward had a bit too much caffeine. Sandy Rustin’s The Cottage is frantic, it’s raunchy, it’s witty, and it’s a whole lot of fun. It also boasts a great cast and a set like the best of the Rep’s “house” sets–one that may make you want to move in.
It’s fitting that the set, designed with marvelous detail by Robert Mark Morgan, is so memorable, since the titular Cottage is essentially one of the play’s stars. In fact, this play has a lot in common with another of Rustin’s works that has been performed in St. Louis in the last few years–Clue–in that both plays feature quirky, well-defined characters, feature a lot of fast-moving and highly physical comedy, and include a house set that serves as something of a character in itself. Here, though, there’s an original story, inspired by the works of Coward and set in 1923, which is apparently soon after divorce law in the UK was revised so that women had the same rights for filing as men. That’s relevant because this is a play about marriage, divorce, infidelity, secrets and lies, with a particular focus on women’s agency.
The show opens as Sylvia (Andrea San Miguel) and Beau (Jordan Coughtry) are indulging in an amorous encounter at his family’s cottage, which is a well-appointed upscale English country dwelling that features a prominent portrait of Beau’s mother, who is frequently mentioned but never actually appears. Soon we learn that these two are having an illicit tryst, as they do once a year, hiding their encounters from their respective spouses, as Beau is married to the more fastidious Marjorie (Jihan Haddad) and Sylvia is married to Beau’s somewhat stuffy brother, Clarke (Jack Dryden). Of course, the spouses will eventually show up, but they also usher a series of surprises that I won’t spoil, which eventually include more characters–the scatterbrained Deirdre (Isa Venere) and her apparently murderous husband, Richard (Andrés Enriquez), who bring secrets of their own. The fast-paced interactions, along with a series of revelations, drives the plot, and the expertly choreographed physical comedy adds layers of hilarity as played out by the spectacular cast.
The cast is simply marvelous, led by delightfully physical performances from San Miguel as the somewhat bossy, frequently surprised Sylvia, whose comic timing is simply impeccable. There are also terrific turns from Coughtry as the pompous Beau, Dryden and Haddad showing excellent rapport as Clarke and Marjorie, as well as delightfully goofy showings from Venere as the hilariously forgetful Deirdre and Enriquez as the mysterious and eager Richard. There’s also a fine performance from Sam Matthews in a small role as the gardener. The entire ensemble works together well, with excellent timing, tremendous energy, and razor-sharp wit. The script is madcap and clever, as well, with fun little touches that send up English manners and rote politeness (such as the constant offers of tea), despite the very real conflict that occurs and ramps up as the story plays out.
The production is simply dazzling, as well, with that marvelous set with all its nooks, crannies and hiding places, along with detailed period costumes by Renee Garcia. Lighting designer Michael Klaers and sound designer Amanda Werre add to the overall intensity and period flair of the show, and there’s also excellent work from fight director Paul Steger and intimacy director Jamie McKittrick. Dialect coach Lauren Roth is also to be commended, since the English accents are well-done and consistent.
The Cottage is, simply speaking, a hilarious, frantically paced must-see. It’s a laugh riot and comedy of manners for mature audiences, moving with breakneck speed and serving as a delightful showcase for a truly superb cast of performers. It’s a fantastic start for a new season at the Rep.
Andrea San Miguel, Jordan Coughtry, Jihan Haddad, Jack Dryden, Andrés Enriquez
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting The Cottage until September 28, 2025
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