Season's Greetings

This well-known 1980’s play by the prolific playwright, Alan Ayckbourn, is considered to be one of his finest; it is a black comedy about a dysfunctional group who spend Christmas together. Belinda (Anita Heaton) and Neville (Andrew “PJ” Canham) have invited their family and friends for a traditional Christmas celebration. Their guests include Neville’s sister Phyllis (Rebecca Jones) who is not the most competent in the kitchen; her husband Bernard (Clive Bourne) a somewhat inept Doctor and pacifist who spends a great deal of time fussing over the presentation of a puppet show which no one else is interested in; Neville’s friend Eddie (Matt Heaton) and his pregnant wife Pattie (Gemma Davis); Uncle Harvey (Paul Coleman), an ex-security guard who loves violence, especially on TV; Belinda’s unmarried sister, Rachel (Daisy Ivatt); Clive (Phil Clarke), a writer and friend of Rachel. Clive arrives late by train, is missed by Rachel but warmly welcomed by Belinda who is immediately attracted to him. Clive falls for the frustrated Belinda, after Rachel tells him she is only looking for friendship. He and Belinda become passionate under the Christmas tree after the others have retired to bed but they are discovered when they set off the lights and various electronic toys piled beneath the tree and their passion quickly turns to panic. There were particularly good performances from Anita Heaton, Paul Coleman, Clive Bourne and Daisy Ivatt. There was excellent use of the stage space and an effective lighting plan. Overall this production lacked pace and I felt that the portrayal of sexual activity, other than that which took place under the Christmas tree, was superfluous and tended to divert attention away from the comedic content that abounds in this play.

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