Performances - February / March
by Alan Ayckbourn
directed by Andrew Thomson
Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn is aptly described as a play of misunderstandings and mistaken identities. The cast of four – a perfect number for making the most of both these – consists of two couples, where Greg (one half of the younger pair) is led to believe that Philip and Sheila are his girlfriend Ginny’s parents. The fact that they are not is the longstanding joke.
Naturally the misunderstandings are stretched to the limit, turned inside out, mistakenly clarified, cut up and patched together again, and shifted into different ones. Even at the end of the final scene, at least three of the cast seem not to have a clear perspective either on the exact relationships of the others or what explains their individual motivations – and the reappearance of a pair of slippers in the closing moments leaves even the audience guessing. The result is as witty, uproarious and amusing today as it was 55 years ago. I’d say that’s quite an achievement.
Cast includes
- Judi Jones
- Stephen Pearson
- Samantha Young
- Jake Cain-Roser
Director - Andrew Thomson
- Stage Manager - Chris Cherry
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Tech and lighting designer /operator - Flynn Edwards
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Set designer - Stephen Pembroke
Prices: Adults $30, Concession $25, Children up to 16 $8.