Relatively Speaking

Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn — Performed by The Broughton Players at the Preston Playhouse

The Broughton Players, a long-established amateur theatre group based in Broughton, Preston, returned to the Preston Playhouse this week with Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking.

Ayckbourn’s comedy follows Greg and Ginny, a young couple whose relationship is moving quickly. When Greg decides to surprise Ginny by visiting her “parents” in the countryside, he walks straight into a tangle of confusion, because, as the audience soon discovers, not everything is quite as it seems. The story unfolds through classic British awkwardness, sharp one-liners, and a steady stream of misunderstandings that keep both the characters and the audience guessing.

The Director’s (Dennis Yardley) vision was clear and confidently realised. Relatively Speaking is a deceptively challenging play; with only four characters and long stretches of dialogue between just two of them, it relies on strong pacing and believable chemistry to maintain momentum. This production achieved that with care and consistency. The humour came naturally from character interactions rather than being overplayed, and the quieter moments were balanced with bursts of lively energy.

Transitions between scenes were mostly smooth, though the lengthy set change between Scene One and Scene Two briefly interrupted the flow. With the curtain lowered for over two minutes, the pause felt a little long and momentarily broke the rhythm. Later in the play, the curtain was again lowered to indicate a scene change, which didn’t seem entirely necessary, but these were minor moments in an otherwise well-paced and engaging production.

All four cast members (Al-Yasa Khan, Rebecca Moran, Dominic Dwyer, and Lisa Gray) delivered enjoyable performances, each bringing their own individuality to Ayckbourn’s eccentric characters. Special recognition goes to Rebecca Moran, who stepped into the role of Ginny when her predecessor had to withdraw. With only three weeks to learn and rehearse the part, she gave a confident and engaging performance that blended seamlessly with the rest of the cast. The quartet maintained clear characterisation and good chemistry throughout.

A couple of audible prompts from the wings, something that can easily happen in live theatre, did little to distract, as the actors stayed focused and in character. Projection was generally strong, though a few lines were lost when performers turned to the wings, particularly in the garden scene. Without amplification, this was understandable, and for the most part, the dialogue carried clearly across the Playhouse, keeping the story flowing smoothly from start to finish.

The set designer (Michael Hurley) made smart use of the space. The opening bedroom scene was simple but effective, clean and uncluttered, allowing the actors room to build the story. When the curtain rose on Scene Two, there was an audible gasp from the audience. The garden set was beautifully designed and clearly a labour of love, with an impressive array of plants, flowers, and carefully arranged garden furniture that immediately transported us into the quintessential English countryside.

Lighting (Antony Leadbetter) was simple but effective, complementing the natural tones of the set without drawing attention to itself. Props (Maria Adamson and Jane Tudor) were well chosen and appropriate for the period of the play, adding atmosphere without cluttering the stage. Costumes reflected the characters’ personalities and helped root the story in its late-1960s setting.

While not every joke landed, those that did were warmly received, and there was plenty of laughter throughout the evening. The audience remained engaged and clearly appreciated the cast’s timing and delivery.

The Broughton Players brought charm, heart, and dedication to the stage. From the well crafted garden set to the strong sense of teamwork among the cast, it was a performance full of care and attention to detail.  This was an enjoyable and well-presented evening of theatre. A sincere bravo to everyone involved. 

 

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