Neighbourhood Watch

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH by Alan Ayckbourn is his 75th play and is a dark comedy, set in an affluent neighbourhood, the Bluebell Hill estate.  Here, a brother and sister, Hilda and Martin, have moved in and at their house warming, a group is formed who have concerns about the behaviour of the nearby council estate, the Mount Joy.     Ayckbourn covers politics, religion, domestic abuse and loveless marriage in ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ which is performed by a very capable, eight-strong cast.

The set was excellent and represented Hilda and Martin’s living room. It was decorated heavily in green, with green floral wallpaper, double doors (paintwork green) leading to the garden.    Just outside the double doors plants were visiting giving the impression of a well stocked garden. The skirting boards were green and the set was painted pale green on one wall, the two remaining being the floral wallpaper.  There were various religious artefacts including a cushion with a picture of Jesus Christ on it.   There was no doubt that this was the home of a deeply religious pair. Props were good; clipboards, plants, carriage clock, glasses and books including a prominently displayed book entitled ‘Domesday Book’.   The larger than person sized gnome, uncovered at the climax of the play, painted in gold and dedicated to the memory of Martin, was impressive and brought a few gasps from the audience.  

The costumes were good and in keeping with their characters.  Hilda wore a variety of outfits typical of a repressed spinster, fitted skirts, high neck blouses and cardigans. She had a smart two piece for the introductory monologue and sensible, neat shoes.    Amy, the feisty, flirty one wore tight, revealing dresses and Dorothy was in between the two in more relaxed, comfortable, casual clothes; skirts and trousers.

The lighting was good with areas well lit enabling the cast to be seen clearly. Flashing, blue lighting was used effectively for the arrival of the police following the tragedy towards the end of the play.

Neighbourhood Watch opened with a potted history being delivered by Hilda at the opening of the memorial park. Steph Parkin as Hilda was very clear and confident in this role.  Her demeanour and posture as well as her costume, gave us a good idea that she was a middle class, spinster with religious conviction.  We were gradually introduced to the cast as people arrived for the house-warming.  We were aware of the tension between some of the characters.  What starts as an idea for the Neighbourhood Watch scheme, escalates into vigilante type law enforcement as they take the law into their own hands within their gated community.    Medieval types of punishment being used raised a few laughs as the play reach farcical and ridiculous levels.    There were many touching scenes; when Amy and Martin exchanged their favourite beautiful words. Not so touching was a scene when Magda’s husband Luther, confronts her and the threat of domestic abuse rears its head.  

Director, Gill Richardson, brought together a cast of interesting and fully-formed, recognisable characters, each with their own foibles.    There was good pace and interaction as the cast delivered lines confidently and the action moved smoothly along.   Ultimately, the message from this play is a warning not to take the law into our own hands, even in the face of ‘Our Broken Society’.

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