Jack Studio Theatre – until 28 April
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
3***
After being married for 20 years, Gordon and Helen’s retirement in Spain was meant to be idyllic, seeing out their golden years in the sun. The reality is very different. Gordon is bored but unwilling to try anything new that might add colour to his days of sitting, drinking and talking, and talking, and talking… Helen survives by throwing barbed comments at him, and escaping every day to the café for some precious moments of peace and quiet. The arrival of Cath, younger and adventurous, throws their dull lives into turmoil in this tightly plotted comedy.
Vital Signs Productions mission is to challenge the way older people and older actors are perceived, and founder Adrian McLoughlin’s debut play does just that. Although Gordon (played with an admirable lack of vanity by McLoughlin – this vain, droning character makes Richard Briers’ character in Ever Decreasing Circles look like a trophy husband) is determined to behave like an old man, laughing at the idea of trying something new at 70, Helen is quietly seething with frustration and pent-up energy. Deborah Maclaren keeps Helen just the right side of bitchiness in her interactions with Gordon, always allowing a glimmer of guilt to slip through after each snarky comment. Cath is a slightly trickier character, but Anneli Page slowly and expertly builds up the layers to reveal the insecurities behind the bravado.
The play builds slowly, beginning like a typical Brits Abroad comedy, but McLoughlin takes the plot in directions you just don’t expect – outrageous, but never unbelievable. The post-coital scenes are beautifully written, demonstrating sweetly that first-time sex is stressful whatever your age and experience. You may have to stifle your urge to cheer when Helen finally bites the bullet and decides to make changes in her life, but you’ll probably be too busy laughing.
This is a fine debut from McLoughlin, a wickedly funny comedy that is well worth a look.