Penny Downie Archives

Review of Storm in a Flower Vase…a new play about Constance Spry

Last Friday evening, I went to the Press Night of ‘Storm in a Flower Vase’, a new play in London about Constance Spry.

If you’ve not heard of Constance before, she was an iconic floral designer and cookery writer.

In 1928, at the age of 42, she opened her first flower shop in London.

The play gives you a wonderful insight into her life…both her passion for flower decoration (as it was called, as opposed to floristry) and her relationships.

I thoroughly enjoyed Storm and found Penny Downie, who played Connie, to be totally mesmerising.… Read more

Storm in a Flower Vase…a new play about floral designer Constance Spry

Today, I wanted to let you know about a new play from Anton Burge which looks at the life of iconic floral designer Constance Spry (1886–1960).

It’s called ‘Storm in a Flower Vase’. And it takes its inspiration from the book, ‘The Surprising Life of Constance Spry’ by Sue Shephard.

Constance is best known as a floral designer and cookery writer.

She was the high society florist of choice, designing floral displays for royal weddings and for the Queen’s coronation, as well as creating the iconic dish ‘Coronation Chicken’.… Read more