THEATRE REVIEWS

Greeted by a high pitched noise as the primary school children made their presence felt at their annual Christmas outing to the theatre to see My Sister Sadie. Blue versus red gave the sides of the schools there who fell silent to the pin drop level as the music started and the actors entered the round. Mesmerised by Set Designer Pip Leckenby’s remotely controlled scenery, the young audience lapped up the story of a downed helicopter on Muddle farm land and a strange doll like girl. This was Alan Ayckbourn at his best with a storyline well up to his adult offerings and direction to match. So skilfully written is this play that the young do not fully understand what is going on with double entendre allowing the older element, lucky enough to be in the audience, a chance to sit and enjoy the subtleness of this family play.

The acting was faultless with Neil Grainger as Luke Pickett and Becky Hindley as his mother Avril Pickett, who are besieged by Captain Leonard Lennox played by Justin Brett and Sergeant Jipton played by Adrian McLoughlin. Lisa, played by Charlie Hayes is Luke’s girlfriend and Alexandra Mathie is the scientist Dr Thora Grayling. However, the prize performance goes to Saskia Butler as Sadie, the doll like girl who arrives from nowhere.

A real play for adults and a treat for the children. The children fully enjoyed this outing and said how good it was. It was probably not what they expected at Christmas, but that surprise made it all the more memorable. © BA

“My Sister Sadie” is at the Round, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from the 2nd of December until the 3rd January, 2004.