SUMMARY

Mike Leigh’s wonderful exposé of human nature albeit solidly set in the 1970’s brings to life the essences of the characters in such a way that they are both hilarious and pitiful. The story line depicts the attempt of the hugely aspirational couple, Beverly & Laurence, to impress and entertain, over drinks, a clearly less blessed couple, Angela & Tony and another neighbour, Sue, whose eponymous daughter Abigail is having a party. The casting for the play was as near perfect as I think it could get and each actor gave a truly excellent performance supported by a top class set, costumes and lighting.

REPORT

I think that everyone in the audience, of a certain age, would have spent the few minutes before the play opened looking at the set and knowing that it was perfect in every aspect from the fibre optic lamp to the colour of the walls. It absolutely established the play’s period and provenance.
The play written by Mike Leigh is a wonderful expose of human nature albeit solidly set in the 1970’s it brings to life the essences of the characters in such a way that they are both hilarious and pitiful. The story line depicts the attempt of the hugely aspirational couple, Beverly & Laurence, to impress and entertain, over drinks, a clearly less blessed couple, Angela & Tony and another neighbour, Sue, whose eponymous daughter Abigail is having a party. The sharply observed dialogue and characterisations develop through out the play to show how dysfunctional each couple really is and how miserable every one of the characters lives really is.
The play opened with slinky dressed Bev fussing around with the final touches to the room while smooching around to the record ‘love to love you baby’. Her husband Laurence, an estate agent, arrived still having to make work telephone calls and arrangements. The henpecked nature of Laurence’s relationship with Bev was established immediately. The guests Angela & Tony arrived to receive the benefit of Bev’s superior knowledge which occasionally Laurence has to correct, sometimes to Bev’s surprise, when for example he tells her that the houses down the road are only ‘mock’ Tudor.The audience learns that neither couple are particularly happily married, that Laurence is significantly more cultured than Bev enjoying Shakespeare and classical music as opposed to Bev who loves Demise Roussos and naïve sentimental cartoon art. The play builds to a climax having exposed humorously and forlornly a range of possible story lines but then ends abruptly with the unexpected death of Laurence.

The casting for the play was as near perfect as I think it could get:
Beverly played by Carly Jukes was the beautifully turned out horror of a snob sometimes overtly sometimes covertly yet each time played with utter conviction.
Stuart Butler delivered the downtrodden yet culturally superior husband to a T.
The part of Angela was brought to life by Letitia Fussell. She brought out the humour and innocence of the part with deceptive ease.
John Laing as Tony was the quintessential ex football professional condemned to life as a computer programmer. His performance was just right for the part.
Janet McLaughlan played the part of Susan to perfection. She conveyed the demoralised divorced demographic opposite to Bev with precision.
Each actor stayed completely in character delivered their lines clearly with pace and a confidence that only comes with real understanding of the lines.I don’t know who was responsible for the costumes but they were spot on for each character and completely in period.Lighting supported the telling of the story and the sound was exactly right including the much derided Demise Roussos.

The Front Of House team were attentive and well presented as was the catering team.

Your director Ian Pring did an excellent job, he ensured that the story was conveyed, the humour and pathos was delivered and I for one was easily able to suspend disbelief. This was an excellent production easily the best that I have seen from the Club.

A really great evening’s entertainment. Thank you and congratulations to every one in the Club.