Writer/Director: Alan Ayckbourn
“It’s a bit of both,” was the answer to a query about whether his 90th play was Ayckbourn being serious or comic – and that’s a pretty fair summary. In fact the four scenes across two acts each has a totally different mood, ending up with extremely silly farce (with an edge to it) – and yet they all cohere into one play. That’s Ayckbourn for you!
Kevin Jenkins’ set is cluttered, comfortable and decidedly old-fashioned, just what you’d expect from the hall of the Bothridge family home – “the front hall we always call it,” says Jack Bothridge, the last in the line of the family that grew rich on the proceeds of their department store, now closed. Jack (in a bravura performance by Bill Champion) dominates Scene 1, bidding farewell to his wife who is going out for the evening, then spreading all sorts of confusion with a visitor, Peter Reeder (not meter reader) who eventually makes clear why he has come. Jack has apparently responded to a leaflet offering the services of HomeLight Theatre.
Jack decides to treat his wife on her birthday (December 2nd) to a performance by HomeLight – nothing’s too good for her – and is certain 30 people will attend, notably the departmental heads of Bothridge & Co, who are used to special events on December 2nd. Jack is clearly bumptious, perhaps something of a bully, devoted to his wife, but a foretaste of Scene 2 occurs at the end, the arrival of his former work colleague Ben Wilkes the occasion for an outburst of furious orders from Jack.
And, at the risk of plot spoilers, that perhaps is all you need to know about Jack. In Scene 2 Harriet “Harry” Golding, Peter’s business partner, arrives to finalise details and is confronted by Ben who, little by little, tells all. The serious tone of this scene is carried on in Act 2, Scene 1, essentially a furious row between Harriet and Peter which covers the essentials of theatre: Harriet whose parents founded the company in 1962 maintaining the importance of taking theatre to the people, even if you play to a handful; Peter both more materialistic and more determined to move with the times. Ultimately Ben (who has been dropping hints for some time) gets his chance in the French farce they have chosen and triumphs, as all do in the final scene, played before an increasingly sleepy audience of one. The final moments unite the various themes.
Richard Stacey (Peter) and Frances Marshall (Harry) are vivid spokespersons for their point of view and, in the end, forget their squabbles in a memorably over-the-top French farce. Olivia Woolhouse as Steph, their decidedly off-hand junior actor, has fun as a seen-it-all maid. But best of all is Paul Kemp (Ben), the meek holder of secrets, who emerges as the most flamboyant Frenchman, even to the suit to end suits.
Runs until 5th October 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
Perplexity in farce
