Communicating Doors

Communicating Doors is a more recently penned Alan Ayckbourn comedy thriller and as such it offers us, the audience, many twists and turns as we jump through time via a special portal. As the time changes almost momentarily, the hotel room in which it is set remains the same for the forty years over which the play is set. How nice it must be for the company to have a new director, Simon Gilbert, who has recently moved to this area and brings with him a wealth of experience, to take the reins of this complex piece. The other essential element to carry off a production like this is six strong actors and this we had. This is a very wordy play and although this was opening night the pace of the production was excellent.

The main instigator of the whole story is Reece (Paul Minett) portraying a man with a sensitive side, a very cruel side and one who will do anything to keep his business. He is followed over the whole forty years by his business partner Julian (Martin Rodwell). As is the way of this play, he turns out to be a ruthless, heartless killer who ends up as the only person killed. There are also three ladies, two wives and one prostitute. First wife is Jessica (Kerry King) who is drowned.  Second wife Ruella (Nicola Gilbert) who is thrown out of the hotel window. The prostitute who is, Reeces’ adopted daughter. All of these strange events are overseen by a Hotel Security man, Harold (Andrew Grey), who ends up fulfilling his wildest dream.

 It would not be fair to separate or rave about any of the performances individually as, with all small cast plays, the result is in the whole and each player is a vital cog to its success. This is where CSODS invariably excel.

If you are not confused by the explanation, then you must know the piece already or have a very vivid imagination.

This was a good play, well presented and despite some first night gremlins, which I am sure were easily overcome, it made for a most enjoyable evening. If I could find that portal I could see it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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