Confusions

Confusions by Alan Ayckbourn was written as a set of five interconnected one-act plays and was first staged in London in 1976. By omitting one of the plays (The Drinking Companion) and introducing more than the originally intended five actors, Highbury Players has lost some of the continuity and connections, but the remaining four plays still worked well as standalone pieces and, with the aid of some clever direction by Kate Burrows (assisted by Dene Woods, Graham Stouse and Beryl Buckle) they still conveyed the themes of obsession, isolation, and the human desire for companionship.

Very sensibly a simple set was chosen (designed by Graham Stouse): five flat screens, which were easily adapted for each play. The stage crew, led by Beryl Buckle, made short work of the scene changes, quickly transforming the stage with props and furniture. Sound effects were well chosen, and the lighting was right for the scenes, despite the difficulty of not being able to black out the hall. Costumes throughout were completely appropriate for the settings. The diction and projections of all the actors involved was excellent – not a word was missed.              

Mother Figure centred on the way Lucy, whose life is dominated by her children, treats her two neighbours as children, when they come to check she is all right, and the way they gradually drop into their childish roles. Georgia Davis really brought Lucy to life, and it was no wonder that Rosemary (Amy Gould) and even the chauvinistic Terry (Liam Peters) gradually fell into line. Excellent performances by both actors as they gradually reverted to childhood!

Between Mouthfuls portrayed two couples in a restaurant, gradually revealing that two of them were having an affair and had just returned from a holiday together in Italy. Chris Wrein played the ruthless boss Pearce well, completely denying the affair despite the strong suspicions of his wife, played by Pam Phipps who gave her remarks just the right amount of acid. Stuart Dickenson was completely believable as Martin, a man completely focussed on his job and only concerned about how his wife’s affair would affect his career. We had every sympathy for his wife Polly, who hoped to shock him out of his apathy by revealing the affair. This was a beautifully natural performance by Elena Martinez-Blanco. This piece was cleverly directed so that as the waiter (a masterful performance by Roger Mitchell, with great facial expressions) moved from one table to the other, the table in focus started speaking and the other fell silent, so that we felt we were eavesdropping on their conversations. Nice touch.

Gosforth’s Fete was the summer fete we all dread that gradually descends into chaos, doomed by the weather and the unplanned broadcasting of teacher Milly’s affair and pregnancy with publican Gosforth. John Morris gave an excellent portrayal of the pub landlord who must organise everything, while Milly was played with great sympathy by Amy Gould. Cliff Mullins was the typical ineffectual vicar and Toni Tovery was spot-on as the Mayor, Mrs Pearce, taking every opportunity to push her political message. Liam Peters gave a nicely controlled descent into drunkenness as the unfortunate fiancé of Milly, and local scout leader. Together they all created the atmosphere of a slowly sinking ship very well.

A Talk in the Park was a completely different piece, and very cleverly directed with the five actors moving round in a circle and, in turn, sitting on a bench to unload their woes onto an unwilling recipient. Stuart Dickenson particularly impressed with his portrayal of the rather strange Arthur and his interest in cigarette cards and observing women. Georgia Davies as Beryl, Roger Mitchell as Charles, Julie Williams as Doreen and Chris Wrein as Ernest all had equally well-developed characters, and I was left thinking how well-written this piece was and wanting to see it again.

Confusions was a great choice for Highbury Players, demonstrating the skills of its actors in four very different plays. A great evening of thought-provoking entertainment.

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