REVIEWS REVIEWS
Look at what is going on around you and then go and write a play. That is what Alan Ayckbourn has done with his latest play “Drowning on Dry Land”, an apt title for today's goings on. Beckham and his wife, strange game shows, dodgy lawyers, agents looking for a meal ticket and people taken for a ride because they think it is the thing to do. What is right, what is wrong, what is ethical what is not. Plenty there to worry anyone and plenty to use for a play that reflects our time. Outside an eclipse of the moon, inside the eclipse of a person struggling to find the top of his ivory tower.
“Drowning on Dry Land” is in repertory at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 29th April until the 11th September, 2004.
Charlie Conrad is no good at anything, but that is his strong point, for today you do not have to be good at anything just go along with what other people want you to do. Charlie is a Celebrity who has nothing to offer, but others make money from it, he is excellently played by Stephen Beckett who gives the impression that he does not know what day of the week it is. He has made money by going along with what others want of him. His wife Linzi, a programme presenter, played by Melanie Gutteridge, is better at what she does than him, but it makes no difference the gullible public still go for the rubbish television, as is said in the play, “the newspapers tell them what their opinion is”. An Interviewer Gale, played by Billie-Claire Wright, arrives to stir the volatile brew and leaves it a short while to simmer. Then add a children’s clown “Mr Chortles”, Marsha played by Sarah Moyle arrives to entertain the Celebrity’s children, but he takes little notice of her, and of course she too hero worships the Celebrity. She does her show and then asks for an autograph. That’s when all hell lets loose and you should go to see this comment on today’s life style and manners. The agent Jason is played by Adrian McLoughlin and the two lawyers by home team Hugo (Stuart Fox) and away team Simeon (Paul Kemp). All this placed on a Roger Glossop set with Alan Ayckbourn directing.
The audience enjoyed the laugh at themselves as playing the gullible public and went home satisfied with their evening at the theatre. The play slowed towards the end, but all in all it was typical Ayckbourn who does not need bad language to get laughs and is as cutting with his comments on our world as ever. Make the effort to see this play, destined for London, if it comes your way. © BA
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