A Month of Sundays

STAFFORD PLAYERS

A Month of Sundays

Wednesday 10th May 2023

First produced in 1985 in Southampton, A Month of Sundays is Bob Larbey’s first foray into stage play. Better known as a successful television situation comedy writer, The Good Life, Please Sir, Get Some In, Ever Decreasing Circles with co-writer John Esmonde. Winner of the 1982 British Award for Best Comedy for his first solo venture 'A Fine Romance'.

A gentle comedy about the challenges and difficulties, health and fragility of aging, Cooper, David Forbes, the intense observational dialogue was very well delivered, Forbes really inherited the grouchy character.

Together with his Escape Committee partner in crime Aylott, Keith Minshull; they have a series of daily rituals to cope with drudgery of the confines of living in a care facility. The continuous need to stimulate their minds, contemplating the joys of incontinence, which certainly brought to mind the lyrics of The Who’s My Generation.

There was great heart-warming interaction between the two friends, each watching out for the others failing health.

The writer’s association with Peter Egan in Ever Decreasing Circles, I could almost hear Egan delivering the lines, the descriptive dialogue was very endearing ‘armour piercing sausages’ delivered by the Panzers, the ever growing ranks of the zombies, Cooper’s name for care home residents slowly succumbing to dementia.

The hinted at sexually charged flirting between Cooper and Nurse Wilson, Kasi Matharu, she giving as good as she got, threatening to don stockings for the coming summer months much to Cooper’s delight.

Cleaner Mrs. Baker, Barabra Horton, constantly sniping and berating the size of his spacious room, Cooper tried to get her to loosen up which she did to a degree, but the envy was still festering throughout.

Cooper’s first Sunday of the month visiting family, daughter Julia, Clare Watson and her husband Peter, David Harfield; suitably torn between duty and the imposition of motorway driving and various hold-ups that ensued, the writer seems to have his finger very much on the pulse of these varying interpersonal dynamics. The tension between the generations was palpable at times.

The actors brought the intensely revealing scenarios to life. Sadly, most people will deal with similar issues, either themselves or elderly relatives, it is a journey for all involved, this depiction certainly captures the fears and agonies of losing a loved one’s personality slowly piece by piece.

Good living room-bedroom set, in typical care home chic. Nicely lit, however, there was a continual noise from the main auditorium the night we saw the play, which did detract somewhat.

Director, Andrea Keady gave us a top class cast, very believable characters, clever dialogue, very well delivered.

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