Barefoot in the Park

Taking place in a 6th storey apartment in early 60's New York, this play explores the difficulties of newlyweds one of whom is romantic while the other is pragmatic and responsible. Chloe Edwards as Corrie Bratter gives a convincing performance of the idealistic romancer with her scheme to pair off her mother with their strange neighbour.  Her subsequent bewilderment and anger that she cannot manipulate her husband as she did her mother, is nicely managed.  She is well matched in Colin Povey as the earnest husband lawyer Paul, who gains audience sympathy in his attempts to advise her and placate her. Alex Kemp successfully carries off the part of Victor Velasco, their eccentric neighbour who attaches himself to them with consummate ease - and to Corrie’s mother.  Chris Mitchell enters this role of anxious mother with enthusiasm, delivering her lines with acerbic aplomb and leading the audience to sympathetic bursts of laughter. Also successful with their comedic reactions to having climbed up six storeys were the delivery man, Paul Dourley, and telephone man Alistair Thomas who in turn lightened the tension in his discomfort during the newlyweds’ quarrel. The opening set of the flat with its inaccessibility, its bareness, its broken skylight and eccentric plumbing sets the mood for the light hearted comedy to follow. Then the production team must have been satisfied with the applause - deserved - for their set transformation at the beginning of Act 2. Overall Livingston Players can be pleased that they have again come up with a drama that engages and delights.

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