Improbable Fiction

First presented in Scarborough in 2005 this was the first time I had seen this play written by the ever-popular author Alan Ayckbourn. I was not going to be disappointed by the performance which was well presented from start to finish.

Another first was to be back at the regular venue for Second Thoughts post pandemic. The venue can accommodate seating in the round, and this was the right choice for this production. Although it was inevitable actors would have their back to at least some of the audience this did not have any implication regarding the audibility for those of us watching.

The set, on entering the auditorium, was simple – nine chairs (found myself counting these before the start of the show only to find counting them to be part of the first few lines of the play), a table with a telephone (also integral to the plot) a piano, a coat stand, a rug and a carpeted step. The opening music was ‘The Typewriter’ by Leroy Anderson, what else could it be to open a play about writers?

The setting is in the sitting room belonging to Arnold Hassock (played by Nick Bate) where he lives with his mother who we never actually see. We simply hear her banging on the ceiling. It is ten days before Christmas, although you would not know this, due to the lack of any festive cheer. Arnold is Chairman of the Pendon Writers Circle. Why is he Chairman? Well no one else wanted to be or had the time. He is described in the script as pleasant and this was most certainly the interpretation played in the safe hands of Nick.

One by one we are introduced to the characters as they arrive for the evening’s events. The script cleverly sets us up for what is to unfold later in the play. Act one was by design rather static with characterisations getting set and the lead up to frantic act two.

First to arrive was Ilsa Wolby played by Lindsay Gravestock.  A shop assistant who assisted Arnold getting set up for the writers meeting. Lindsay played the part with confidence having some good business handing out drinks and mince pies. 

Great characters followed including Gill Hines as Jess Bales, Tracy Humphreys as Grace Sims, Vanessa Gravestock as Vivvi Dickens and Ian McLean as Brevis Winterton. Each played their roles superbly as they spoke of their intentions of writing historical romance, children’s fiction, crime fiction and musical adaptations. Special mention of Andy Watts as Clem Pepp. Andy was last on stage fifty-five years ago!

Act two was a total joy as each actor (except Nick as Arnold) had frequent character and costume changes as they played out parts in each of the novels written and mentioned during act one. The location of costumes and props must have needed significant coordination by the production team, and all involved. I especially liked the props used in the science fiction scenes (used to detect aliens) – somebody had cleared out their kitchen!   The delivery of lines in this act was a delight especially getting words wrong in the science fiction and the revelation about glasses. Well done Ian and Andy – these were just a selection of the real laugh out loud parts of this act. 

I have no doubt some lines went a bit astray from the original script and some lines were hidden on props nevertheless the actors carried off this wordy play well.

Sound effects were good throughout and well cued by Andrew Holtom.  Also, congratulations to Ann Loscombe for the illustrations of Doblin, the goblin. 

To conclude this was an excellent play with a great cast. The audience level was a bit disappointing and the cast most certainly deserved better attendance. Having said this, I for one was delighted to be back at The Bear Pit with Second Thoughts and I don’t think I would be on my own with this statement. Well done to Nic Walsh as director and the whole cast and backstage team.

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