A devoted wife versus a younger woman. Which one will a middle-age man choose? In Honour, Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith delves into the stillness of a marriage and the thrills of a second wind, where characters question love, passion, and the realities of 32 years of marriage.
George (Matthew Letscher) has a stable life. He has a wife (Marcia Cross), a daughter (Jude Elizabeth Mayer), and a brilliant career. It seems that he has what he needs. But is that what he wants? The person who triggers this question is Claudia (Ariana Afradi), a journalist who is interviewing George about his admired writing works. He is an experienced intellectual, ready for a change. She is a young journalist, ready for a ride. And when the heat starts to build up, you soon get a fire.
Letscher makes his character despicable, but funny at the same time, which makes it likable despite the circumstances. He has the ability to navigate with ease between the respectable head of a household and the excited child with a new toy, willing to throw everything out the window for the exhilaration of a new romance. Letscher makes you wonder whether you are a villain or a hero for wanting and executing a change. Who hasn’t felt the urge of taking one last chance in life, even if that means betrayal in one way?
Cross delivers another powerful performance as the wife who takes the blow, but finds the way to adapt and stand tall, showing an inner strength that represents a lesson for the much younger Claudia. Throughout the scenes, Cross excels exteriorizing Honor’s transition from victimhood to freedom, showing her experience and dedication to her craft.
Ariana Afradi as the ambitious Claudia and Jude Elizabeth Mayer as the daughter that becomes the collateral damage also shine in this production. They both deliver energetic and credible performances that complement the complex nature of the play. Their characters fight and attempt to change the status quo, with mixed results; new generations, same old conflicts. Throughout the play, Claudia’s background is a bit of a mystery, Murray-Smith does not fully disclose what her real motivations are. it becomes an open question, leaving the audience to make assumptions about her past experiences.
One of the reasons why this play resonates so well is that the characters express raw emotions with honesty without filters, resulting in a relatable experience. With lighting, a minimalist set design, and excellent blocking, Director Max Mayer creates the necessary fluidity to display the characters’ transformation that reflect their inner turmoil, a state of fear, betrayal, excitement, and disillusion.
With an excellent production, Ruskin Group Theatre opens up their new artistic hub; you will notice the smell of new carpet as soon as you enter the theatre. This space will host live theatre, music performances, spoken word, visual arts, and the now famous acting training program. It’s a fantastic complex that offers a new destination to all art lovers in Southern California.
Honour
Ruskin Group Theatre
2800 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Opening at 8pm on Saturday, February 14
Schedule: 8pm Thursdays – Saturdays; 2pm Sundays
Closing March 22, 2026
Tickets: ruskingrouptheatre.com
Written by: Joanna Murray-Smith
Directed by: Max Mayer
Produced by: John Ruskin and Michael R. Myers
Presented by: Ruskin Group Theatre
Cast: Marcia Cross as Honor, Matthew Letscher as George, Jude Elizabeth Mayer as Sophie, and Ariana Afradi as Claudia.
Creative team: Stephanie Kerley Schwartz (Scenic Design), Edward Salas (Lighting and Sound Design), Michael Mullen (Costume Design).
