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24 JULY 2023
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5*****
And so, Alan Ayckbourn’s trilogy ‘Damsels in Distress’ comes to a conclusion with the final ‘episode’, ‘Roleplay’ and with it, we are rather firmer in classic Ayckbourn territory.
Young couple, Justin and Julie-Ann are organising a dinner party intended as an introduction to each other’s parents and the chance to announce their engagement. From the off, things are not going to go to plan. The parents’ arrival is pre-empted by the appearance at the hosts apartment of dancer Paige Petite and her minder Micky who appears a tad unhinged; what follows is virtually pure farce, but with an edge.
Ayckbourn’s writing thrives on relationship issues and on miserable and/or ghastly characters and this play has the lot, throw in some serious side issues and you have what makes the best play of the trilogy.
Throughout, the delicate, but masterly hand of Anton Tweedale is discreetly seen as he offers such free-flowing direction and brings out so much comedy, not least of the physical kind which elevates the production.
As the play starts you soon realise the couple at the centre of the story are not particularly compatible. Liv Koplick offers a wonderfully irritating Julie-Ann; highly strung and fussy and with a few pre-nuptial ideas which horrify her intended. Owen Landon’s tour-de-force as the relatively sane and well-meaning Justin is a masterclass of confusion, frustration and with a tremendous range of facial and bodily reactions as his situation becomes increasingly impossible. Laura Mead’s exceptional performance as mouthy but vulnerable Paige illustrates huge depth and breadth of skills and Dominic McChesney creates laughter from nearly every mono-syllabic line while wielding a pistol as the nutcase Micky. James Pellow has a gift of a role as Julie-Ann’s blunt, boring and bigoted father Derek – he has some of the best lines in the play and the relish on Pellow’s face in delivering them is worth the price of your ticket alone. As Derek’s wife, Dee, Julia Main offers up another cracking characterisation; she is her daughter’s mother! If you ever want to see a great comedy drunk on stage, then watch Claire Louise Amias, as Justin’s Mother, Arabella; this is as good as it gets. Splayed limbs and head wobbling continually, this is sublime comedy acting.
Watching these seven actors over three plays has been something of a privilege; ‘Damsels in Distress’ is not performed particularly often in its entirety and, although they are not the greatest of Ayckbourn’s work, they do offer a wonderful opportunity for actors. This is some of the best ensemble work I have ever seen and each and every member of the cast has laid out before audiences an example of their repertoire which is exemplary.
‘RolePlay’ is very, very funny and this production just goes to show that when theatre is working at its highest level, so much can be achieved in such a short time; don’t forget, at the Sidmouth Summer Season each play is rehearsed for just five days. It is an achievement to be admired and lauded.
The play runs until 29 July and tickets are available at www.manorpavilion.com. Next week is the psychological thriller, ‘The Business of Murder’ by Richard Harris which runs from 31 July until 4 August.
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CAST & CREATIVES
JUSTIN LAZENBY – OWEN LANDON
JULIE-ANN JOBSON – LIV KOPLICK
PAIGE PETITE– LAURA MEAD
MICKY RALE – DOMINIC MCCHESNEY
DEREK JOBSON – JAMES PELLOW
DEE JOBSON – JULIA MAIN
ARABELLA LAZENBY – CLAIRE LOUIS AMIAS
WRITER – ALAN AYCKBOURN
DIRECTOR – ANTON TWEEDALE
DESIGN – ANDREW BECKETT
LIGHTING & SOUND OPERATION & DESIGN – STAGE TECH SERVICES
COSTUME SUPERVISOR – JAN HUCKLE & PHOEBE FLEETHAM
SET BUILDERS – HENRY HAYWARD, JAMES PRENDERGAST
SET ASSISTANT – DOMINIC MCCHESNEY
DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER – DANIEL SAINT
PHOTO CREDIT – ANDREW BECKETT
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS
SEASON ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – ANDREW BECKETT