When was the
last time you saw a play? Was it a while
ago? Or have you never seen one? Well now is the time to change this with the
fantastic Relatively Speaking. Relatively
Speaking is a play by Alan Ayckbourne and originally written and treading the
boards in the 1960’s hence this is the timeline for the play.
Greg has been
dating Ginny and the first scene opens in her flat with him in her bed. Before you even hear any words spoken, the
actions of Greg set the scene for humour with his bedsheet shenanigans and
espressionate face. Ginny is a modern girl about town living in London. Her
latest love interest is Greg, who is besotted with her but also concerned about
the number of flowers and chocolates she seems to have around her flat. And even more he finds a pair of men’s
slippers under her bed. Her last lover
was an older man and this doesn’t help Greg’s confidence in their relationship.
Not quite trusting her he finds an
address which she says belongs to her parents.
It is questionable why you would write your own parents address down so
when she tells Greg she is going to see her parents he decides to follow her.
The Willows is
a beautiful house in the country and home to Philip and Sheila. They are having breakfast in their garden. This is the address written that Greg has
found and soon enough both Greg and Ginny turn up (separately) at the house.
This is a play
of misunderstandings which are brilliantly executed. The ‘lightbulb’ moment as the audience
realises bit by bit the truth of the situation is momentous. The laughter is infectious and the atmosphere
is electric as you just can’t quite work out what will happen next.
What makes this
wonderful witty play work is the delivery of the lines, executed perfectly by
the most excellent cast.
Greg is played
by Antony Eden who has perfect comic timing. His reactions say so much and he is very
believable in the role. He opens the
first scene and really sets the scene for the rest of the show. Antony is absolutely fantastic as Greg.
Ginny is played
by Lindsey Campbell and gives a polished performance of the flirtatious Ginny
who is not great at lying and trying to hide the real reasons why there are so
many flowers and chocolates in her flat. Lindsey is fabulous as Ginny and gives a warm
affable performance. Liza Goddard
plays Sheila and is perfect as the dizzy blonde wife who doesn’t always get
what is going on. Liza’s comic timing is
wonderful and she is an absolute dream in the role. Robert Powell
plays Philip and is so professional in his role. He provides humour and can be serious one
moment and funny the next – all totally believable. He is a joy to watch and
commands the stage easily.
The play is
well cast and beautifully executed. And the sets are also impressive. There is
no reason not to see this play. And relatively speaking, this is simply one of
the best plays you will ever see.
Relatively
Speaking is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 19th November.
