Life and Beth

Life and Beth is part of Alan Ayckbourne's supernatural trilogy set around Beth Timm's (Susan Lynch) family at Christmas as they mourn the recent death of her Health and Safety Officer husband, Gordon (Chris Pomlett)

Beth- sister-in-law Connie (Sue Richardson) and son Martin (Dale Roberts) have come to stay determined to inject some Christmas spirit into what couldbe a sad gathering, but between Connie's drinking problem  and Martin's unspeaking and enormously volatile girlfriend Ella ((Naomi Millard) their intentions prove to be short-lived.

Only David (Mark Dallison), the local vicar, provides Beth with any comfort, but when he says a prayer for her bereavement he unwittingly summons Gordon's ghost to return to the family home!

It seems Gordon has been busy managing health and safety issues in the afterlife and is now determined to stick around to help Beth with her affairs.

It soon becomes apparent, however, that his return is not altogether welcome.

Although some of the action was a little snail paced, particularly in the first half, credit has to be given to Chris Pomlett, drafte in as a last minute replacement to read from a script. His sterling efforts ensured that this did not detract or interfere with the play, which the audience on the night thoroughly enjoyed.

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