Date

25th October 2019

Society

Marlborough Dramatic Club

Venue

Brentwood School, Memorial Hall

Type of Production

Play

Director

Graham Poulteney

Report

Author: Tessa Davies

Another excellent standing set from Marlborough, the society has a very good reputation for their sets and, as befits an Ayckbourn play, this one was complex.  Getting three different bedrooms onto that small stage was a major achievement.

The cast were very strong; The first couple, Ernest and Delia, produced just the right relationship.  Patrick Stevens (Ernest) gave a brilliant portrayal and his reading of Tom Browns schooldays was a masterpiece!  Josie Bruty (Delia) displayed all the world (and husband) weary aspects of the long and settled marriage.

We were introduced to young newlyweds Malcolm (Andrew Spong) and Kate (Charlii Richardson).  Two delightful performances which glued the play together nicely.  I am familiar with the play, and. later in the play, getting the completed piece of furniture onstage without the audience noticing was very well done.

The third couple, Nick and Jan, played by Colin Richardson and Louise Richardson were very good.  Colin (Nick) in particular, having to do all his dialogue from a prone position.  The gyrations, when he fell out of bed, were most entertaining.  Louise’s performance as Jan was also well thought out and well performed.

Finally, Trevor (Andrew Chesney) and Susannah, Ernest and Delia’s scatty daughter-in-law, played with great style by Jackie Parry.  Her near meltdowns were a joy to watch.

The direction was good, making sense of Ayckbourn’s tortuous pays is an art in itself and Graham Poulteney got it right most of the time.  The only issue I had was when Trevor was sitting at Nick’s bedside having a conversation with him.  He had to speak most of his lines upstage as that was how the set was laid out.  The lack of projection plus the actor facing upstage, made it a bit difficult to hear all the dialogue.  Although, honestly, I don’t see how the set could have been laid out any differently, given the space available.

Costumes were fine, and the lighting worked well, a very important aspect of this production, well done.

Overall the play was very entertaining, and the audience obviously enjoyed the performances.  Marlborough always make me feel welcome and it is a pleasure to visit.  My thanks for your hospitality.