Emily Newsome and Kina Kantor Photo by Kevin Berne

Yet, here we are, nearly a century after its premiere, and a marvelous new production by Aurora Theatre Company has opened in Berkeley. Due to its rather antique nature, Fallen Angels could come off as a bit fusty, but in the sure hands of director Tom Ross it manages to feel fresh, while still being firmly aligned with the mores of 1920s Great Britain.

The "fallen angels" of the title are Julia (Kina Kantor) and her devoted friend Jane (Emily Newsome). Once their husbands, Fred (Michael Barrett Austin) and Willy (Kevin Clarke), leave for an overnight golfing trip, Julia and Jane are left to their own devices. But there's a complication to their girls' weekend: postcards that each have received from their former lover, Maurice, informing the two women that he has come to England and plans to pay a visit.

This, of course, throws the two into a bit of a tizzy, as each is desirous to reconnect with a paramour from their pasts. Despite their desire to remain faithful to their husbands (even though Julia and Fred admit that the first flame of passion they felt upon marrying five years previous is now no more than a softly glowing ember) they worry the spark they each felt with Maurice could easily be fanned into a conflagration of desire when he walks through the door. "When sex comes up, it ruins everything," Julia says at one point.

As they await the arrival of their one-time lover, the women drink and banter with each other, slowly getting more and more soused as the evening progresses (martinis, Champagne, Benedictine) and dredging up conflicts from years past that have the two spatting wittily. But by the time act two rolls around, and it's the next morning, everything has been turned on its head and miscommunication and misunderstandings only add to the tension.

Director Ross has selected a top-notch cast. As Fred, Michael Barrett Austin is delightfully guileless, with an insipid smile that seems to indicate that almost every bit of subtext goes right over his head. Kevin Clarke's Willy is a blustery, privileged sort who would fit right in with the classic Monty Python sketch "Upper Class Twit of the Year." Kanter and Newsome have an easy chemistry that makes their friendship seem nothing less than authentic. Though the cast generally do fine work with their English accents (dialect coaching by Nancy Carlin), Kantor can be a bit hard to understand, especially in her breathier, excited moments. Joel Roster's portrayal of Maurice is delightfully unctuous.

But the star of the show–both in terms of the character's place in the play, and the actress's performance–may be Cindy Goldfield as Fred and Julia's new maid, Saunders. While the upper-class types indulge in their pleasures with the simple-minded narcissism that often comes with money and privilege, Saunders is supremely confident and comfortable in her role. She seems to be more expert in every subject than any of her "superiors." She's a better pianist, always has the right sort of answer, and even schools Fred on which golf clubs he'll need at the course he plans to play. Goldfield carries it all off with great aplomb.

Fallen Angels is a delightful bit of theatre, lovingly produced by Aurora, and–despite its age–seems to be showing only a few grey hairs and crow's feet.

Fallen Angels runs through November 17, 2024, at Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison Street, Berkeley CA. Shows are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. There are additional Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. on November 2nd, 9th and 16th. Tickets are $20-$65. For tickets and information are, please visit www.auroratheatre.org or call 510-843-4822.