Breezeblock Park

Originally produced in 1975, before any of these young people were thought about and possibly their parents too, Breezeblock Park tells the story of the working-class families of three siblings who are spending Christmas together.  The action is spread across Christmas eve and Christmas day in the family homes first of Betty and then Reeny.  Whilst much of the narrative is about the most important feature of the two front rooms – the suites - their cost, fabric, longevity and appearance, beneath the surface of the Christmas cheer are long held jealousies, simmering quarrels, historic challenges... and a secret.  As the festivities begin a piece of news threatens to cause more damage.

The play includes larger than life characters and some clever one-liners.  Importantly throughout the play this cast worked together very well with wonderful comic timing and great pace.

Natasha Lunt as Betty gave a confident performance of this forthright character, who was proud of her new three-piece suite and keen that everyone should know about her medical training.   As a one-time nursing auxiliary she feels able to diagnose the many illnesses of her husband Syd, played by Jacob Dore.    Seeking to please his wife, Syd goes along with her many demands and Jacob was great as the somewhat downtrodden husband, his hesitant responses and almost child-like compliance were well-delivered.  Together they made a very believable couple who were parents to their only daughter Sandra (Bella Miller).  Bella really grasped the frustration being experienced by her character as she tried to express her changing perspectives and emerging opinions whilst recognising that opportunities for the younger members of her family are limited.  Bella’s performance was composed, thoughtful and thoroughly believable.

Alice Lamb gave an excellent comedic performance as Vera capturing just the right amount of dizziness.  Alice’s timing and facial expressions were perfect as the not very bright sister-in-law, who clearly grasped more than the others realised.  Alice created a likeable Vera, maintaining her character throughout the performance and working well with Alfie Cole who was, Tommy, the wide boy of the piece.  Tommy enjoyed a drink and encouraged his brothers-in-law to sneak away to the pub at any opportunity.  Alfie was engaging and funny as this character who also gets the opportunity to show his values as the secret is revealed, which he did with passion and a degree of agitation.

Reeny, played by Emma Loynes, is Betty and Tommy’s sister who clearly thought she was a cut above the rest of the family, living at the ‘posher’ end of the estate with her general knowledge loving husband and squeaky-clean daughter.   Emma played the role with more than a touch of snobbery.  Great poise and presentation from Emma whose looks of disdain at her sisters’ behaviours were wonderful.  Ted, Reeny’s loud mouthed, know-it-all husband was played by Alfie Cowburn.  A larger-than-life character who took over the conversation at any opportunity.  Their daughter, Joan, was controlled by her parents and Harriet Hornshaw captured this very effectively.  Largely subdued by her overbearing and demanding parents, Harriet made a real impression when she stood up for Sandra and demonstrated her deeper feelings and complexities.

Matthew Tordoff as Tim, Sandra's posh student boyfriend was hugely entertaining as he entered the affray of the complex family dynamics.  The character was no doubt in a totally alien environment as he was pushed from pillar to post in everyone’s attempt to change his behaviours and Matthew brought this to the fore, with a wonderful nervous smile and appropriate physicality.

The diction and clarity of delivery ensured that the meaning of the story could be easily understood by the audience, including some demanding monologues.  Betty’s explanation of how supermarket shopping keeps her from ‘putting her head in the gas oven’ was delivered with pace and passion allowing the audience to see beyond the comedy to sadness in some of the lives of the characters.

Director Sarah Osborne described the production as a scratch performance, with no lighting and limited staging etc.  However, it was utterly entertaining and at times compelling as the characters struggled with the internal and external pressures of their lives.  With appropriate sound effects and gentle musical underscoring at times, this most senior group of YTYT really displayed all the skills, experience and talent that they have been supported by Sarah to develop during their time at YTYT.  A very enjoyable evening.

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