Communicating Doors

This Alan Ayckbourn play was most certainly one with a difference - the main premise being 'What if?'  What if it was possible to move forward and backward in time. Hopefully it would impact for good on our lives!

All the action takes place in a hotel appartment. As the play begins we are in modern times where we're introduced to Reece, an elderly businessman who has succeeded in life by the use of questionable ethics, aided by his oft times manic assistant Julian, very ably played by Joe Gosney. Into the mix comes leather-clad Poopay (Phoebe) who, when frightened by Julian who leads her to believe that Reece has already murdered  two wives, retreats to a storeroom which transports her back 20 years where she encounters Ruella, wife number 2. She manages to persuade Ruella that she is in danger whereupon wife number 2 makes use of this 'time machine' to go back another 20 years to warn wife 1, Jessica, that she is likely to be bumped off. Together the ladies deal with the obnoxious Julian and therefore life for everyone else takes a calmer way forward.

Although taxing belief, the play provided an interesting evening's entertainment. At times it was difficult to see where the plot was going but by the end all had become clearer. I said, at the time that for me 'Communicating Doors' seemed to hold elements of Psycho, Joe Orton and just a little of Dr Who's TARDIS.

I watched the first performance and thought that the comedy aspect of this play needed a little more bedding in to engage the audience fully and, as often happens at a first show, a number of prompts were necessary which does interupt the flow of the dialogue. But, on the whole, there was evidence of good characterisations and teamwork which I always expect of Brackley's productions.

The set was nicely appointed with good lighting and sound effects. As ever, an excellent team worked both front of house and behind the scenes. A definitive plus was that the Players were allowed to use the original soundtrack - permission granted by Sir Alan himself.

While not feeling that this was one of Ayckbourn's best plays it did challenge the audience to suspend belief for a while and gave us all some food for thought. Well done for putting on this slightly quirky venture.

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