Relatively Speaking

There are SO many things I want to say about this production which really do not strictly come under the heading of a review, but in these ‘Covid Times,’ I really feel MUST be said and acknowledged.    My very first comment is well done and many, many congratulations to the cast and crew for undertaking it, and making a wonderful job of it, including the socially distanced direction (including crew members) and my second comment must go to Lowther Gardens Pavilion for making it possible for the production to be staged at all, by their strict adherence to the Covid Guidelines.

Those of you who are familiar with the play will know that it is one of Alan Ayckbourn’s earlier plays, which in 1967 gave Ayckbourn his first West End Hit.  The play is a four hander which essentially creates laughter out of marital infidelity and misery by taking two couples, one married, Philip and Sheila played by Tim & Kath Greenwood, and one at the beginning of their relationship, Greg and Ginny played by Tim Withers and Sophie Cartmell.  Ginny has been having an affair with her married boss Philip and goes, ostensibly alone, to his home one Sunday morning to end their affair once and for all. What follows is a dizzying series set of very funny misunderstandings.

The opening scene is set in Greg and Ginny’s flat, played in front of two large painted screens with a back colour wash – by necessity somewhat sparse in the way of furniture but more than adequate to set both the scene and the timeline.  The second scene (and the rest of the play) is set in Philip and Sheila’s Garden – the set change was certainly one of the best I have ever seen, set to music, with a crew of 4 (all wearing gloves and masks) bopping in time to the music, removing all the furniture then turning the large screens round to reveal a brick garden wall, complete with flowers and shrubs and ready set with appropriate garden furniture. The scene change itself was SO good that the crew received a well-deserved round of applause, and the set itself was excellent.    

The play is ideal for social distancing with 2 couples and director Rosie was able to cast two couples to play the parts, one of whom had NEVER been on a stage before, not that it showed at all!  Casting was therefore excellent as there was already a great and totally believable chemistry between each of the two couples, which worked really well.  All of the characters were well drawn, with some really good and believable characterisation, and which displayed excellent comic timing.  Diction was generally good and we were able to hear well. 

Pace was good throughout, although on just a couple of occasions we missed some dialogue because the audience were still laughing, but this in no way spoilt the enjoyment.

Costumes across the board were excellent and very appropriate – Ginny’s outfit was simply perfect and immediately took me right back to the 60’s. (Shades of Mary Quant!)

Taken all together, it was an excellent production, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the socially distanced, mask wearing audience – and the wearing of masks in no way diminished the laughter.

I am SO in awe of the whole cast and crew for having the sheer will and determination to bring this production to the stage – doubly so because it was a well-directed, well performed and a highly enjoyable evening’s entertainment. 

I cannot begin to guess just how many ‘hoops you must have had to jump through’ to even get the production on stage and I can only thank every single person concerned for doing it and doing it SO well, and that must include Tim Lince and the whole team at Lowther Gardens for facilitating safe socially distanced rehearsals and putting the measures in place for an audience to watch it, over four nights.  Thank you all SO very much.  

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