THEATRE REVIEWS

Alan Ayckbourn is concerned with time travel and its consequences in this 21st century version of his play Communicating Doors, and what a fine job he makes of it. It is entertainment from start to finish as he explores human choices through life. Here a woman has the chance to see what is in store for her and what can be done about it.

The play revolves round the set designed by Ayckbourn and turned into reality by Designer Michael Holt. Through the door of a suite in a London Hotel walks Poopay, a call girl played by Laura Doddington, summoned at the behest of Reece, an ageing business man, played by Ben Porter. What happens next is out of the head of a skilled playwright who explores all the avenues in a tale of fantasy and probability over a period of forty years. We meet Ruella, played by Liza Goddard, and Jessica, played by Laura Howard, who deal with situations that evolve and change with the aid of a shift in time. They show us that the future can be changed as life evolves, through the choices made as we travel the road of circumstance to our destiny. This is a clever piece of writing made all the more interesting by the writer's skill and observation of how people interact with each other. Men seem not as important in this tale as women, something that reoccurs in Ackbourn's tales, and may be reality. Jamie Kenna and Kim Wall supply the other two men required to make the plot work and the team blend smoothly together to show yet again great acting coached out of individuals by a master director.

This audience sat in silence, punctuated by mirth, and arrived at the play's conclusion before they knew it. They then showed their appreciation with enthusiasm. This play is well worth travelling miles to experience this delight of English theatre at its best. Seize the opportunity. © BA

“Communicating Doors” is at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 5th August to the 8th of October, 2010. Box Office Telephone: 01723 370541. Tickets prices from £9 - £20. Duration 2 hours 40 minutes with a 20 minutes interval.

Is there an Air Conditioning certificate prominently displayed in your theatre foyer stating the date of manufacture of the appliance and when the system was last inspected and serviced - if not, complain to the theatre management.