Bedroom Farce

Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce, originally produced in Scarborough in 1975, is a cruel comedy delivering a highly entertaining character study of our suburban apprehensions about love and marriage. The play is told from the perspective of four different couples during one night of farcical antics and bizarre circumstances and though it is a highly comic play, it also features some highly poignant moments which touch upon issues of love, adultery, and masculinity.
The set for this production was brilliant; the stage was divided into two tiers and three bedrooms, with two bedrooms on the ground floor of the stage and one bedroom above. Having the three rooms on stage at the same time allowed the action to be intercut between them as required, particularly important as some of the scenes were quite short. The set was used to magnificent effect, with the lights directing the audience’s eyes as the scenes changed from one bedroom to another, often to highly comic effect. Furthermore, the set emphasised the individuality of each of the couples as each bedroom had its own idiosyncratic décor, differentiating the characteristics of the play’s couples. So, full credit to the set designer - Andrew Jackson, the set construction team - Barrie Doyle, Derrick Lee, Tim Rose & Andrew Jackson, props – Mary Wilkinson and sound & lighting – Lindsay Hobbs & John Jameson.
Ben Evertsson was very entertaining as the self-centred Trevor. His first main speech, about commitment, was artfully conveyed. Trevor is central to the flow of the action, as is Susannah, comically played by Andrea Clay. She, a neurotic woman lacking confidence, is the other half of the couple whose actions break up a party and keep all the other couples awake with their relationship troubles. Jennifer B. Scott as Delia was very assured. James Fellowes as Malcolm and Bella Kidd as his wife Kate are charming DIY-ers, who begin to examine their own marriage after contact with Trevor and Susannah. David Newall as Nick spends most of the play in bed, as his character Nick has injured his back, but his rendition of a man with back pain is comically portrayed. Neil McCormack was very likeable as the put-upon husband Ernest, and Paula Vickers as Jan was  just right as a woman who has limited sympathy for her ailing husband and lingering feelings for her former lover Trevor.

Director, Andrew Jackson and his assistants, Pam Wheatley-Holmes and David Newall, kept up a cracking pace from a cast who didn’t  miss a cue as the action switched from bedroom to bedroom. The cast also kept up the laughs, not by jokes, but by the foibles of human nature that Ayckbourn distils into his scripts.
This was my first visit to Grassington Players and it was a pleasure to see your production and meet many of you in the bar afterwards. Many thanks for your hospitality and I look forward to returning in spring for Ghost Train.

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