DONKEY'S YEARS

at the Michael Pilch studio until 26th February

Michael Frayn's satire about a group of old Oxford student's returning after 17 years for 'port and sympathy' in the form of a reunion dinner for old members, is an emphatic theme for many, very on course with his previous film 'Clockwise' (starring John Cleese) and packed with plenty of the same classic British humour.

The play commences as the old members run into each other in the porter's lodge. The usual stereotypes emerge: a very successful politician, journalist, civil servant, Oxford fellow and a bearded science boffin. Other characters include the college nymphomaniac turned master's wife and an over zealous and exhibitionist clergyman. Change is the major theme in this play, as the characters address important questions such as: has Oxford changed? have they? Should they have taken a different course in life? It soon becomes clear however that the characters all have one desire in common; to reclaim their youth for just one night. As the drinking continues old rifts and past romantic entanglements emerge, causing many misunderstandings which descend the characters into typical British embarrassment and comic mayhem as the characters struggle with a conflict between the responsibility of their high powered jobs and the carelessness of their undergraduate days, a phenomenon undoubtedly common to many aspiring graduates.

Throughout the evening the play exposes many of the idiosyncrasies of Oxford, as the characters engage in intellectual conversation with profound statements such as, 'what a funny thing funny things are'. Dr Taylor, the young and disgruntled fellow struggles and fails to contain the boisterous antics, with reminders 'you're supposed to be paying for the new buildings, not destroying the old ones', and worries that the university is 'still not turning out a credible oppressor class'. The morning after tension arises as tempers flare; having spent his university days with his nose in a book the science nerd turns maniacal, believing he has been denied many college experiences, the journalist wonders if a good story is to be had and the politician fears the nights proceedings may destroy his career, 'the government. It many even destroy the pound'.

The acting and portrayal of the characters is very well executed. The studio is minimalist, with no elaborate ploys required in the face of such authentic acting. This new venue can be found down Jowett's walk off the Mansfield Road. The civil servant is a thoroughly nasty character, and Gilbert Ramsay gives a frighteningly realistic portrayal of the never changing always moaning college porter, as anyone caught walking through their college lodge will testify. Julia Buckley is Lady Driver, the masters wife who becomes melancholy and irrational throughout the evening as it becomes apparent an old flame is not going to show, and Michael Davern plays the camp vicar with a shrill voice. There are also some very entertaining and character packed performances by Alex Lawrence.

A thorough and engaging exploration of the myth which is Oxford, which will leave you wondering...., has anything changed?

Carla Hayde

24/02/2000