How the Other Half Loves

By Alan Ayckbourn, this classic play was first performed in London in 1970 and also first performed at the Phoenix in 2005. It features the lives of three couples all linked by their husbands working for the same company; Frank & Fiona, Bob & Teresa and William & Mary. The play revolves around misunderstandings by Frank (the boss) as to the reason why his wife and Bob were both out late one morning till 2am and they both used William & Mary, unknown to them, as their alibi. Subsequently William & Mary get invited to dinner by the other couples, albeit on separate evenings.

The clever set was a permanent but split scene depicting the homes of both Frank and Bob and with great timing, both halves of the set were used often at the same time, by all the players. The set was busy with appropriate furniture and props and all the cast were well dressed. The colour and style of the furnishings indicated which space belonged to which home.

Frank the boss of both the other men, is a somewhat rambling confused and forgetful character who quickly but innocently comes to the wrong conclusion, whilst his wife Fiona is a smart attractive lady exasperated with him and who rather guiltily tries to divert attention away from her late night out. Both are played very convincingly by Robin Haig and Alison Clarke.

Bob and Teresa (Tom Lee-Hynes and Lynne Casey), live in a less salubrious home and are clearly suffering from the pressures of bringing up their youngster. Teresa particularly struggles at home all day whilst Bob is in the office. You can feel the tension between them, and are rather dishevelled  in manner and appearance as a consequence. Again, both provide a realistic performance.

As a result of both Fiona and Bob suggesting as part of their respective alibi, that William & Mary have their own marital problems, Frank and Teresa coincidentally feel it might help them to talk if they are invited to dinner. This was a most impressive scene when William (Steve Banner) and Mary (Amanda Barrett) are sitting with both hosts at the same table, centre stage, but swivel their seats from one meal to the other, sometimes with just one line apart, whilst the non-hosts maintain a freeze.  William is a ‘Jack of all trades’ with a somewhat overbearing approach to matters, well played by Steve, and Mary is a rather nervous apologetic character which Amanda maintains well  throughout.

In Act 2 further confusion arises, often due to Frank. With just a few small glitches, speed is maintained throughout and the timing of entrances and exits  were spot on as the players often crossed each other (in their respective homes) but I felt one’s attention was always where it should be. This must have presented a minefield for director Graham Russell, but was achieved with a great level of success. The cast received a good ovation at the conclusion of the first night and as the run continues I hope they all feel they can smile back as a result – they deserve to.

I would like to thank the Phoenix for their usual warm welcome and look forward to ‘Christmas with the Phoenix Theatre Singer’s.

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