Time of My Life

.This Black Comedy, by the renowned playwright Alan Ayckbourn, was expertly Directed by John Ellis and Maureen Nickson. The accomplished cast performed Ayckbourn’s work with great skill, bringing out all the humour and pathos, from his well observed characters.

The curtains opened to reveal a convincing restaurant scene, appropriately dressed with a long table centre stage and two smaller ones stage left and right, where members of a family were celebrating a Birthday,

Gerry Stratton a businessman, played convincingly, by the versatile actor Paul Armitt, who had organized a family dinner with his sons Glyn and Adam at his favourite restaurant Calvinu’s “ The Essa de Calvi” to celebrate his wife Laura’s 54th, Birthday.

The action took place in “present time” 1989 and then further back in the family’s history.     This was a cleverly constructed play and there were no weak links amongst the excellent cast, who were all completely believable.

Carol Buckley as Laura Stratton commanded the stage as the centre of attention and gave a good empathetic performance as the revelations, which were to change her life, were revealed. Becca Paterson as Maureen ran a gamut of emotions throughout the evening and gave an intriguing insight into this character.    Congratulations to Dominic Swarbrick for his exceptional comedic performance as Calvinu the restaurant owner and FOUR other roles. This was a “tour de force” and the audience roared with laughter at his numerous changes of character and his delivery of some very amusing lines. I have seen Dominic play many excellent roles over the years and this performance must rate as one of his best.

My wife and I have had the great pleasure of seeing Productions by this Company over the years and we will certainly continue to support them..

 

 

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