Gym and Tonic

Gym & Tonic was originally written by John Godber twenty-five years ago and first published in 2000, but according to Godber himself, he has completely re-written the play since then, bringing the piece into the modern world. Don and Shirley Weston have come to Scardale Hall Health Hydro to relax, pamper themselves and just possibly rescue their ailing marriage. Don’s experience with exercise and therapy are far from positive and the rifts in the marriage widen as mid-life crisis becomes more and more evident, and moments of reconciliation do little to improve the situation.

There is no stage as such at the Centre, just a performance space which was divided into three distinct areas. There was Browns Lounge with four seats and a coffee table with flats behind painted grey, a middle section with curtains across behind which was a massage table that was brought out when required and a garden area with a bench and a flowered trellis fixed to flats painted as fencing. The middle area was used for the massage parlour, for dance/aerobic classes and as a squash court. All the areas had excellent appropriate props. 

Mik Horvath was superb as Don Weston. From his initial appearance when he joined in the aerobics class, it was obvious that he was out of his depth regarding following movement instructions and indeed, as it later transpired, with anything to do with physical activities. He has such expressive facial grimaces that at times there is no need for words, his expressions and silent mutterings say it all. Don’s first experience of having a massage was hilarious. He very warily strips down to his boxers and gets on the table and when Chloe is massaging his upper body he really enjoys it as we gather from his ‘oohs and aahs’ and ‘heavenly squeals’ especially when she gives him a head massage! His next physical venture is ‘Mat-sliding’ where you put covers on over your shoes and literally do slide exercises on your individual mat. Ken, Shirley and Shaun were just perfect at these sliding exercises following the instructions from Zoe but Mik well……his antics were just hilarious. How he managed to keep upright whilst sliding all over the mat with his legs and body doing the most improbable actions was nothing short of a miracle but, then he collapses and is in a right state even more so when his ‘new watch’ shows his heart rate is through the roof. His next massage although it was for a facial, he still strips off.  However, during this he has an ‘episode’ where he hallucinates and there is a terrific scene when he is literally bombarded by his son, his wife, his mother and Ken all shouting at him as he thrashes about on the bed. The excellent lighting effects adding to the whole disturbing scenario.

Following all his traumas and his arguments with Shirley, his heart-to-heart chats with fellow guests and the very moving scene with Shirley when he asks “How did we get like this” he realises that he must do something for himself as he has never been allowed to do what he wants to do, he decides he is going to buy a caravan. In the final scenario Don and Shirley kiss and hug one another which brought tears to my eyes, it was just so emotionally touching. It was an absolutely brilliant performance from Mik. Sarah Henderson was just perfect as Shirley Weston. She too gave a top notch portrayal capturing all the different aspects of the character wonderfully. At first she is so upbeat about joining in with everything but Sarah quite exquisitely conveys Shirley’s frustration and unhappy side as she admits, particularly to Ken, that she wants more from her relationship with Don both mentally and physically. Her interactions with the other guests were just great. There was an undeniable chemistry with Don even when they were arguing Sarah managed to convey that she really wanted the marriage to work as evident when she refused to have a relationship, that she could have had, with Ken. I loved the scene when she admits to Don her interest in Art by showing him her recent work. The sculpture, as held by Don as he got it out of a box, caused much hilarity as apparently he was holding it the wrong way up as it was supposedly, a tree!!!

Nick Mothershaw was excellent as Ken Blake, a wealthy company owner. Ken is successful in his business transactions, has such a self-centred attitude and is confidently determined to succeed in everything else he becomes involved in. Nick portrayed these aspects superbly from his most energetic aerobic exercises, his skill and exuberance when playing squash, to his illusion that he is irresistible to women, but sadly for him, he was most definitely disillusioned on that aspect and he even got his comeuppance from Don. Jane Robertson gave a most impressive and striking interpretation as Gertrude Tate who is a very rich lady, slightly scatty, snobbish, self-opinionated and disorganised. She totally delivered all these nuances so effectively whilst giving out a great deal of presumptuous advice but later showed great wisdom when offering encouragement and guidance, particularly to Don. Jane also ‘appeared’ as Don’s Mother. Matthew Taylor as Shaun, who is at the Spa relaxing before taking his exams, was very much in the background in the first act taking part in the aerobic classes and trying to get a slot to play squash, but we definitely see a different and nasty side of his character in the second act which Matthew so expressively and disturbingly depicted. He was extremely volatile and full of teenage angst when he ‘appeared’ as Sam, Don and Shirley’s teenage son. Meg Russell was extremely convincing as a masseuse in her role as Chloe. She had a wonderful matter of fact attitude which added to the comedic elements in the massage scenes. Kat Foxx-Booth was perfect as Zoe the aerobics teacher. She was lively, energetic and so enthusiastic when leading the sessions but did show at times, the more down to earth side of the character.

The set, as already mentioned, was excellent as were the props, costumes, lighting plot and sound effects and together with appropriate musical interludes this production was funny, thought provoking, especially regarding well being and mental health issues, and all delivered by a most brilliant and talented cast. Many congratulations to them, also to Director Lou Jenkins, to Production Co-ordinator Mik Horvath, to Stage Manager Alex Libby, to all the Back Stage Team and to everyone else involved. My thanks also for the very warm welcome that I received from the Front of House team.

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