The Mill at Sonning – until 21st September 2024
Reviewed by Marcia Spiers
4****
Alan Ayckbourn often takes inspiration for his plays from real life experiences, this one being the relationship woes of one of his theatre colleagues during the 1970s. The action all takes place across three bedrooms on a particular evening, through the night and into the next morning.
The play focuses on the lives of four couples. The older Ernest and Delia (ably played by Stuart Fox and Julia Hills). The dynamics typical of a long-married couple with various evening rituals – lots of moaning, an electric blanket and cocoa. For me Ernest stole the show in the first act with his one-liners and dithering nature.
Then Nick who is incapacitated with a bad back and the glamorous Jan (played by Damien Matthews and Georgia Burnell). The physical comedy of Nick’s confinement to the bed or the floor was excellently portrayed as this must have been tricky to keep going for the whole play as equally were Jan’s efforts to make him comfortable or otherwise before leaving for a night out.
Then the unpredictable Trevor and his neurotic partner Susannah (played by Ben Porter and Ally Croker) who were so deserving of each other. Both of whom gave very credible performances, and finally, Malcolm and Kate (played by Antony Eden and Rhiannon Handy) recently moved into their new home, have much to laugh about and decide to have a party to which the two younger couples are invited along with several others. These two came into their own in Act 2.
The party disintegrates due to the antics of Trevor, Susannah and Jan. In the second act the pace moved up a notch. Malcolm demonstrating his dodgy DIY expertise whilst trying to understand why his wife feels sorry for Trevor and has other things on her mind. Poor Ernest and Delia have the challenging task of dealing with Susannah all night and Trevor takes it upon himself to turn up at Nick and Jan’s to confess.
As in true 1970s style there were dodgy outfits and Delia’s wig was a bit of a distraction but the fashion of the day dictates. The stage was set as three bedrooms on distinct levels which helped the flow and lighting of this performance.
I was keen to see this play as our amateur group performed this in 1999 and I wanted to see if it stood the test of time. This play does, there are good laughs to have and lessons to learn when it comes to relationships! A good evening’s entertainment.