At the first night of Somerset Maugham's The Constant Wife, Edward Hall was confirmed — by the enthusiastic reception of his classy, classic production — as one of the West End's leading directors.

He was joined in the stalls by his father, Sir Peter Hall, who founded the Royal Shakespeare Company. Many people feel Edward Hall would make an ideal director of the RSC if and when Adrian Noble chooses to move on.

The Halls comprise London's only directing dynasty. Theatrical dynasties are, almost by definition, made up of actors — as in Royal Family, which Sir Peter directed at the Haymarket last year, and his current production at that theatre, Lady Windermere's Fan, which co-stars two members of the Redgrave clan, Vanessa and her daughter Joely.

The Constant Wife, which stars Jenny Seagrove, co-stars Simon Williams who is the son and father of actors, and is married to Lucy Fleming (who also appears in The Constant Wife as an interior designer), who is herself the daughter of one of Britain's best-loved actresses, the late Dame Celia (Brief Encounter) Johnson.

Edward Hall's pregnant wife, Issy van Randwyck, who was also at the Apollo opening night, is an actress and singer who re-opened the Mayfair Theatre last year with Song of Singapore.

—By Paul Webb Theatrenow