If you have ever been skiing you will have met the ski instructor in John Godber’s play “On the Piste”. Tony is typical if we are to believe what we see in this well crafted play of English people taking a package holiday in Austria. Tony Muller is exceptionally well played by Adrian Bouchet who finds his character’s efforts to make everyone happy causes all sorts of problems, not least for himself.

A set piece play, which is indicative of John Godber, shows us different aspects of the on piste and apres ski activities of this group. First the get together on the snow to find out who can do what. Next a sauna where the shy English come to terms with being naked in public with amusing consequences. Scenes of conflict and soul searching follow as relationships develop. This is intermixed with a non related Abba number “A man after midnight” which brought the house down as the audience clapped and cheered. The cast of Daniel O’Brian, Jacqueline Naylor, Mark Lennock, Dawn Finnerty and Loveday Smith turn this play of relationships into a great evening’s entertainment with some well observed character acting.

None of the above would have been possible without the the set design of Pip Leckenby who provided a fully functional ski slope on a small stage which with John Goder’s direction allowed the characters to come to life. If this play comes your way make every effort to see it. Great fun. © BA

“On the Piste” is in Hull from the 29th of November, 2001 to the 12th of January, 2002. Touring from January to June in 2002.