Confusions

First of all congratulations to Hartley Players on reaching their centenary year. I was impressed by the thoroughness of the programme and appreciated the inclusion of past achievements and biographies that acknowledged, not only the cast but also the valuable contributions of the creative team, whose work typically remains behind the scenes.

Alan Ayckbourn’s Confusions, published in 1974, features (in this production) four loosely linked one-act plays, Mother Figure, Drinking Companion, Between Mouthfuls and Gosforth’s Fete. They blend farce, realism, and slapstick to depict lonely, perplexed characters.

Scenery for all four sets was simple but with good set dressing was effective, as was the lighting with added sound effects needed for Gosforth’s Fete. Jennie Thomas must be congratulated on the numerous props required especially the meals in Between Mouthfuls! Costumes certainly looked the part for each act.

Mother Figure. Two neighbours were visiting Lucy (Ashley Assiter), an eccentric stay-at-home mother. The audience gradually discerned that Lucy was treating the neighbours as though they were children. Nick Noakes and Yvonne Hegarty delivered engaging performances as the neighbours Terry and Rosemary, whose behaviour devolved into childish squabbling due to Lucy's approach.

Drinking Companion. This involved a man called Harry (Martin Arman-Addey) trying to chat up two women, Paula and Bernice (Vanessa Bartlett and Carol Arman-Addey) in a hotel bar, while the waiter (John Thompson) supplied the drinks. Martin delivered a strong performance, effectively portraying his character's uncomfortable and ultimately unsuccessful efforts to persuade the women to accompany him to his hotel room, as his intoxication and desperation gradually increased.

Between Mouthfuls. The waiter (Graham Frosdick) cleverly moved between two tables of bickering couples, Mr and Mrs Pearce (Nick Noakes and Jean Bentley), and Martin and Polly (Peter Harris and Jes Malpas). The dialogue alternated between the tables, letting the audience experience what the waiter heard, thanks to the actors' skilful timing and miming.

Gosforth’s Fete. This scene, arguably the most demanding in the production, was executed with exceptional skill; the staging, stage business, timing, and characterisation were all highly effective, leading to a carefully orchestrated climax of chaos. The cast, Gosforth (Nick Noakes), Vicar (John Thompson), Milly (Lyndsey Hudson), Stewart (Peter Harris) and the Councillor (Jean Bentley) demonstrated impressive proficiency in conveying the swift comedic tempo, displaying both enthusiasm and professionalism throughout their performances.

Director Margaret Bown and the Hartley Players gave us another excellent evening’s entertainment.

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