COMMUNICATING DOORS

Communicating Doors is a very funny comedy/thriller written in 1994 by Alan Ayckbourn. It premiered on 2nd February 1994 at the Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough. The play is set in a hotel suite that moves in time via a communicating door between 1974 and 2014. A dominatrix named Poopay is visiting 70 year old business man, Reece; she is transported back 20 years after entering the door, pursued by Reece’s psychopathic business associate, Julian. The plot unravels as the characters enter in and out of the communicating door in an attempt to alter time for the better, thus putting the lives of three women at stake …

The direction by Tim Allebone was excellent; the casting of the six characters was perfect. The play had a great pace and the action flowed with ease throughout.

The six actors all maintained their characters well, no mean feat considering the speed of the plot and the need to age up or down quickly. Adrian Wyman was hysterical as Harold the house detective, his comic timing was very good. Nathan Gibson was excellent as Reece’s business associate, Julian, I loved some of his facial expressions and he made me jump a couple of times! A very good performance too came from Kate Morris, as Jessica Reece’s first wife, convincingly playing her character at the ages of 25 and 45. Micheala Clement-Hayes as Poopay the dominatrix was very funny, and she gave a performance which I enjoyed very much. Ruella, the second wife of Reece, was played by Diane Wyman, who also gave a very good, noteworthy portrayal of her character. Jonathan Ellson was very funny too as business man Reece I particularly enjoyed his first scene. Well done to you all!

The set for Communicating Doors was excellent, well – constructed and very well dressed. I must give special mention to the props person who had the unenviable task of repeatedly having to go on set to change furnishings and props with only a few seconds each time! The costumes were very good and were all in keeping of the eras portrayed. The lighting and sound quality was excellent throughout.

Well done to all at Wellingborough Technical Players for this fast paced, very funny, enjoyable production.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.