Date seen: 23/3/12
Venue: Didn't really like it. I had a pillar in my peripheral vision, a rail in front of me that obscured my view & I couldn't see down left of the stage. You travel all around the country to little theatrs and have no problems seeing, you hit the West End and encounter all this for three times the price. Not good enough!!
Set: Exquisite. Beautifully put together and very functional. Couldn't fault it.
Costumes: Not a lot to report. A lot more conservative than many productions of this play that I've seen, but all fine.
Performances: Evelyn (Kara Tointon) - Great. Monosyllabic as the character should be, but very funny.
Diana (Katherine Parkinson) - As flaky as I've ever seen this character played from the early scenes and it really worked. An enjoyable portrayal.
Marge (Elizabeth Berrington) - Another nice performance. I've seen more made of the telephone calls with Gordon but she proved to be a nice contrast to the other female characters.
Paul (Steffan Rhodri) - As low-key as I've ever seen Paul played. He's usually so brash and belligerent at the beginning of the play. In this production, the character just seemed depressed. An interesing & thought-provoking interpretation.
John (David Armand) - Very nice work. I loved his finger clicking routine during an awkward silence. A very watchable actor.
Colin (Reece Shearsmith) - More geaky that I've often seen this character played. I actually thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the comedy that he drew from the part.
Summary: Long silences in comedy can be so terribly hard to pull off. These silences just kept coming in this production and they were brilliantly held. All very professional and although it's not my favourite of Ayckbourn's plays, I did enjoy the evening. I just wish I could have seen more of it!!!
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