Family Planning

This light comedy farce from the pen of Frank Vickery certainly pushed all the right buttons as the audience was transported back to the 1970’s with an authentic looking fixed set, comprising of living room and upstairs bedroom, each tastefully decorated in the style of the period.

The action revolved around a harassed mum, pregnant teenage daughter, hypochondriac father, bed ridden gran, nosey and sex mad neighbour with effeminate son, and finally the daughters somewhat dour punk boyfriend.

The mum (Elsie) was well played by Julie Hobson in a suitably life-worn manner whilst she bemoaned her lifestyle and the hypochondria of her husband. Daughter (Tracy) was the epitome of a 1970’s teenage girl finding herself in the family way and unsure of how to broach the subject with her parents. Abbie King who played the role was very believable and really well cast. ‘Gran’ was played by Norma Timney and never moved from her bed ‘upstairs’. Despite her bed bound limits Norma played the role with panache as she proved her character’s age and limited movement was immaterial with regard to her mental sharpness and insatiable curiosity to know what was going on in the living room below.
‘Maisie’, the next door neighbour, played by Karen Moore was typical of ‘pop in for a gossip’ neighbours of the period and Karen came into her own when, as 'Maisie', she was confronted by ‘Elsie’ for trying it on with Elsie's husband, ‘Idris’ (played in wonderful manner by Michael Wood). The role of Idris and his belief he only had weeks to live was well portrayed by Michael.

Kieran Potter played two totally different roles; ‘Jeffrey’ was the somewhat effeminate son of the neighbour with a penchant for knitting. ‘Jeffrey’ was totally silent throughout but the body language and facial expressions of Kieran playing him spoke volumes. Kieran proved his versatility in his second role of ‘Bobby’ the boyfriend of ‘Tracy’ with a wonderful performance.

The 70’s double entendre’s and politically incorrect comments, especially from ‘Gran’ and the chemistry between the actors made this an absolute treat for the appreciative audience with lots of laugh out loud moments throughout. Well done Nunthorpe players and their director Sara.

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