REVIEWS REVIEWS
"Depressing", said my son-in-law who was being baptised in theatre, other than comedy, for the first time, but i'll try one of Ayckbourn's own plays and come with you in September to see "Neighbourhood watch". This was a baptism of fire for an Alan Ayckbourn play for Ayckbourn had taken a Chekhov play "Uncle Vanya" and adapted it for the Scarborough audience, which if it works will be accepted anywhere in the world.
So what was it all about and what did it mean to me. First you either like this period of Russian drama or you do not. It either takes you by the scruff of the neck the first time you hear or see it or it does not. In my case it happened during a evening radio play over fifty years ago. Defining what does it for you is impossible because it is something different for each person, so each review should be slightly different.
Ayckbourn's version is what the Chekhov's play meant to him and how he chose to interpret it. Most people tend to like how he sees things and it gives them a lot of pleasure, even as in this case it is slightly depressing, as my young friend saw it, but he wanted to try more of Ayckbourn.
This play shows a family's trials and tribulations set against a landscape experiencing its own problems, as more and more people want to experience what it has to offer and as some fear at the nations ultimate cost. We are in Ennerdale in the Lake District with the summer fading into early autumn in 1935. We have all life's characters, so well drawn by Chekhov, brought to life by Ayckbourn's ability to give us a clear picture of the time and how people tick. As in real life we have people being taken advantage off, the young ones trying to find their way and by the end no change has occurred. Remind you of today?
A play to go and saver, not be told what it is about. We have a beautiful articulate cast who allow you to hear every word and a director Alan Ayckbourn who knows just how not to clutter the plot. Lets list the cast Eileen Batty, Terrance Booth, Phil Cheadle, Matthew Cottle, Richard Darrington, Frances Grey, Amy Laughton and Alexandra all giving exceptional performances. They are aided by a Designer Jan Bee Brown who gets it just right and a Lighting Designer Jason Taylor who achieves some subtle effects, but lets not forget the stage crew who pull off another slick piece of work.
If you want your mind exercised than this is the play for you and you will leave the theatre quietly as your mind is in overtime. Depressing no, enjoy and think.
Written in memory of Gwen who loved the theatre and who Alan will know. She would have loved to have experienced this play. © BA
“Dear Uncle” is at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 7th July to the 30th of September, 2011. Box Office Telephone: 01723 370541. Tickets prices from £10 - £21. Students £7.50
