Life & Beth

Alan Ayckbourn is a really prolific writer and his plays are very well known but I must admit that I hadn't come across this one before.  I'm really glad to have had the opportunity of seeing it however and of seeing a production to this high standard.  The characters were very well cast with Carol Reed playing Beth Timms, widow of the late Gordon who was endeavouring to get her life back on track and really would have preferred to be alone at Christmas in the circumstances!  A really good performance.  The wonderful role of Connie Bunting, Beth's very annoying sister-in-law, was played by Sue Beck in excellent fashion and Rhodri Corner's performance of Martin, Beth's equally annoying son, was really the personification of his father - well done.  The mainly silent Ella Packer, Martin's girl friend, is a lovely part with hardly any lines to learn but Stephanie Huxley portrayed Ella so well, her silence speaking volumes with occasional outbursts.  Chris Matthews played David Grinseed the Vicar in exactly the right manner, endeavouring to comfort Beth and little realising what his prayer would bring forth!  Lastly, we come to Gordon Timms, the late Health & Safety Officer who was manifested by this prayer and one could see why Beth was not particularly upset at his departure from this life.  Many thanks are due to Director Carol Noble and her whole team, whether on stage or behind the scenes, for this enjoyable evening of theatre.

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