The Stage

If I Were You

Published Wednesday 18 October 2006 at 14:40 by Kevin Berry

How is Alan Ayckbourn challenging his actors in his latest play? The title is a clue.

If I Were You is Ayckbourn’s 70th play and his first since returning to work after his stroke. He has a weary wife, played by Liza Goddard, in a tedious marriage and a husband, John Branwell, who is unashamedly chauvinist. They avoid voicing their concerns but then Ayckbourn engineers a life changing confrontation.

As the first act closes the pair wake to discover that he is inhabiting his wife’s body and she has switched to his.

Yes this device has been used in many a feature film but here it is played so very well. John Branwell takes on his wife’s persona without recourse to effeminate gestures. Goddard really is Branwell in her body. She has great fun swearing, belching and punching their wife beating son-in-law but Ayckbourn avoids excessive farce. Furthermore he does not explain this switch, he just lets it happen.

Watching the couple’s son, played by David Hartley, reacting to his new father is a joy. Branwell makes him a sandwich and helps him prepare for the school play, things his real father would never have done.

The in-the-round stage has three furnished rooms. John Branwell has to work somewhere so Ayckbourn, the master strategist, has him managing a furniture showroom. The duvet is straightened, drink cans are flung into the kitchen waste bin and the family’s home becomes a showroom. A neat solution making for a happy stage manager.