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An old friend showing her age Absent Friends
Malvern Theatres
*** WATCHING Absent Friends is almost like
being suspended in a time capsule. Playwright Alan Ayckbourn wrote this tale in 1974 and along with the wonderfully kitsch seventies decor, the situational comedy dates itself firmly in that period too. It's a gentle piece of theatre with occasional
waves of brief farce,
Revolving around a group of friends, the story
sees them preparing to hold a tea party for a childhood mate, Colin, who
has recently lost his fiancé in a drowning accident. There's plenty of disharmony between the married
couples and the audience is gradually exposed to each of their troubles,
which ties in with the fact Ayckbourn wrote this play around the time
his own marriage came to an end.
As the play moves on, the irony emerges that
grieving Colin is far more optimistic than any of his married friends. Despite the some-what slow story, the
characterisation is wonderful and I found myself growing fond of each
and every one of this motley crew. That was helped by some fine acting from the
small cast. Susie Emmett, in particular, was a refreshingly funny Marge,
constantly putting her foot in her mouth, while John Dorney also
deserves a nod for his exertions as fidgety John. Ayckbourn has spent over half a century writing
79 plays, sadly this is one of his more dated pieces and far from his
best. To Saturday, 22,August. Alison Brinkworth
19-08-15
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which
unfortunately also dip into periods of tedium.