A trip to the Hull Truck theatre is an anticipation of what is to come. John Godber’s latest play is a finely observed view of life. Not the life that you would like for yourself, but as it is for many people.

First we visit a garden, housed in an adjoining warehouse specially hired by the theatre for the occasion. Sitting in the round a real garden has been constructed to a design by Pip Leckenby. May, nicely played by Judith Barker, enters and proceeds to tidy up the garden prior to a move to Spain. She is joined by Ted, her husband, played by Dicken Ashworth. Next door neighbour Steve (Andrew Pelos) struggles with moving belongings into storage so that the move can take place. Neighbours enter the garden to retrieve children’s balls and crave help with their husbands©needs. One is Steve’s wife Sonja (Charlie Mundie), the other Sylivia, adroitly played by Sarah Parks, is the chain smoking, hair rollered woman seen in many environments. May and Ted deal with these intrusions into their space by people who have difficulty running their lives. Flashbacks in time are sometimes difficult to realise as May recalls her son Jack (Steve Huison) growing up, going through school, college to become a school teacher wanting to become a writer with its temptations and distractions from the woman he married, Sharon (Sarah Parks).

The second half takes place in the theatre and is set in May and Ted’s house. Further flashbacks occur showing how life has treated the family although the play is over a short period of time where a lot happens. We also get glimpses of the goings on next door and can only hope that we never live next door to this couple. Maybe they are about to get their just rewards when Lance (Adrian Hood) moves into the vacated house as the play ends.

The audience laugh at this play, but fail to realise that they are in fact laughing at their own perception of life, for this is a serious look at life. This is a look at how the other half lives, but who really knows who the other half is. This is a journey to nowhere. A look at the trouble with today.

This play should make you think and disturb you. It is a fine piece of writing, with fine acting and well worth a trip to the theatre if it comes your way. © BA

“Our House” is in Hull from the 5th of July, 2001 to the 28th of July, 2001.