News feed

Review

Improbable Fiction, All Saints Dramatic Society, De La Salle Theatre, Southbourne.

THOSE familiar with Alan Ayckbourn know to expect the unexpected, and that is certainly what we get in this production, here receiving its amateur premiere by special permission of the author.

It begins at a meeting of a second-rate creative writing group at the home of one Arnold Hassock (Phil Vivian) – who could well have been Rodney Bewes’ Bob in disguise, judging by his voice. There’s none of the usual Ayckbourn angst and the characters, although slightly oddball, are relatively normal. So, up to this point, is the play.

Then comes a thunderstorm, and with it intermittent power failure. Cue for much zipping about in different time zones as the would-be writers’ book ideas and inner thoughts come to life in hilarious fashion. Telephones come and go as if by magic and, as poor Arnold wonders what on earth is happening, the rest of the cast – Jenni Eyre, Gillie Sutherland, Bronwen Thompson, Jenny Wise, Simon Trueick and Martyn French – change characters and costumes with lightning speed and consummate skill as they lurch from century to century.

It’s a brilliant concept with a great script, and a fine set, excellent direction from Peter Nunan and first class performances all round make this a superb production.

Linda Kirkman

return to review index