Bedroom Farce, which is written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Robin Hergord, is an entertaining domestic comedy, with four complicated relationships interwoven over the span of one night. A hilarious staging of Ayckbourn at the wonderful The Mill Theatre in Sonning makes for a wonderful light-hearted and summery theatre experience.
The story follows three couples - Ernest and Delia, Nick and Jan and Malcolm and Kate, all of whom are interconnected by a fourth couple called Trevor and Susannah. The three couples are interconnected by association with Trevor and subsequently Susannah. Ernest and Delia are Trevor's parents, Jan is his ex-girlfriend and Malcolm and Kate are old friends.
The writing is stellar and leads to a wonderful series of miscommunication, conflict and dramatic tension. However, the production falls a little short regarding characterisation and relationships. With the exception of older couple, Ernest and Delia, the three couples feel exaggerated and unrealistic.
Trevor and Susannah (Ben Porter and Allie Crocker respectively) are deeply annoying, self-obsessed and disruptive as a couple and irritating as individuals. Porter and Crocker have opted to focus and exaggerate on their unlikeable qualities; self-centered and hysterical, that it makes it impossible to root for either character. Nick and Jan (Damien Matthews and Georgia Burnwell) are intriguing, with their own strong plotline. Nick, who's currently stuck in bed for weeks on end, is entirely dependent on Jan for everything and thoroughly grumpy about it. Jan, less than happy about this but unwaveringly supportive, seeks solace in a party and consequently old flame, Trevor. Burnwell delivers an understated performance, which at times can feel slightly disassociated. Matthews is entertaining in his limited stage time, with his calm nature and sarcastic commentary.
Malcolm and Kate (Antony Eden and Rhiannon Handy) appear to be well-balanced and healthy on the surface, but later let insecurity and doubt creep in. Well-matched at pulling pranks on one another, Malcolm and Kate are entertaining for the first act. However, the complete and total change in their personalities and relationship in the second act is jarring and undermines the first act. Handy does a great job as the kind hearted Kate, and Eden presents a strong stage presence as the infuriated Malcolm. Ernest and Delia (Stuart Fox and Julia Hills) shine in this production as the lovable older couple, whose wholesome relationships contrast the rest of the show. Strong and solid performances from both, the characters feel alive and well-rounded. Hills brings a sweetness to her charm and unending patience, and Fox delivers a memorable and mature performance.
The staging was innovative (Michael Holt), with three different bedroom sets presented on stage throughout. Ernest and Delia's bedroom set takes centre stage, slightly elevated, with elegant furnishings and a window that feels quite lived in. Nick and Jan's is a small set to the left (from the audience's point of view), with a double bed, drawers and chair. Malcolm and Kate's bedroom set sits on the right side of the stage with a similar set up. The lighting (Graham Weymouth) helps to indicate which couple to focus on by illuminating the respective bedroom set. The lighting helps pinpoint time of day and the jarring disruptions to the day by Trevor or Susannah.
Ayckbourn reminds audience the momentum caused by a small misstep with increasing tense consequences for all four couples. Witty dialogue, an exhilarating thrill as the drama unfolds, and amusing complications propel this show and keeps the audiences engaged and thoroughly entertained. Bedroom Farce is currently playing at The Mill Sonning until 21st September - for more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Andreas Lambis
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