The monthly meeting of an amateur creative writers’ circle is the setting for this Alan Ayckbourn comedy, performed by Abingdon Drama Club at the Unicorn Theatre. One by one, the members arrive at the home of earnest, well-meaning Arnold Hassock (John Hawkins), preceded by the attractive young Ilsa (Gemma Kitching), who is there to care for Arnold’s elderly, bedridden mother. Each member has his or her own problems. There is Jess (Lynne Smith), whose historical romances are all in her head, Vivvi (Laura King), a prolific but unpublished writer of crime fiction and Clem (Andrew Down), a nerdy creator of science fiction, who believes his creations to be true and who constantly misuses words. Middle-aged, mumsy Grace (Geraldine McTier) has only got as far as illustrating her children’s story, and the cynical, disillusioned, retired school teacher, Brevis (Nigel Tait), is trying to write a musical version of “Pilgrim’s Progress” but has only four lines of lyrics. These seven very distinctive characters are well cast and interact skilfully with each other.
At the end of Act One, as the meeting ends and the members leave, a clap of thunder and sudden darkness heralds a surprise for Arnold and the audience. The scene changes completely, while the setting remains, apparently, Arnold’s home. He finds himself, successively, in a Victorian melodrama, a 1920’s detective novel and a tale of alien abductions. The original Act One cast play all the new roles and their skills at portraying different characters and using a variety of accents, not to mention the slick costume changes, are extremely impressive. The scenery and props are very well managed and watch out for the telephone. As the three playlets finally resolve themselves, the children’s story and the musical are cleverly brought in. The last line of the play is classic Ayckbourn understatement.
This was an extremely good performance of an entertaining but challenging play and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it.
At the end of Act One, as the meeting ends and the members leave, a clap of thunder and sudden darkness heralds a surprise for Arnold and the audience. The scene changes completely, while the setting remains, apparently, Arnold’s home. He finds himself, successively, in a Victorian melodrama, a 1920’s detective novel and a tale of alien abductions. The original Act One cast play all the new roles and their skills at portraying different characters and using a variety of accents, not to mention the slick costume changes, are extremely impressive. The scenery and props are very well managed and watch out for the telephone. As the three playlets finally resolve themselves, the children’s story and the musical are cleverly brought in. The last line of the play is classic Ayckbourn understatement.
This was an extremely good performance of an entertaining but challenging play and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it.