Friends Uninvited

Published Wednesday 15 August 2007 at 15:10 by Kevin Berry

The name Ayckbourn stands out in the credits and this Ayckbourn is indeed Sir Alan’s son.

Friends Uninvited is the first professional production of one of Steven’s plays. It is staged by the Eskdale Theatre company for the holidaymakers and locals of the North York Moors. Lighting and design are by Graham Kirk and Pip Leckenby, the regular team at Hull Truck.ÊÊ ÊÊÊ

There has been a school reunion and not long after it dishevelled, clumsy Roger, the first uninvited friend, turns up at the posh London flat of Duncan. Roger is fleeing from Jill, a voracious girl trained in many martial arts, who is determined that Roger is the man for her.

Interestingly Duncan is the shy type and he was never really friends with either of them. This is only revealed in the second act, making Duncan’s put upon situation all the more bewildering for him.

A first act with periods of tedious exposition needs madcap, screwball pacing and more could be made of Hugo’s clumsiness. The second act is much freer and there is palpable relish on stage.

Beatrice Curnew as Jill is exceptional. She dictates the comic vigour of the play. Hugo Thurston as Roger is engaging but fuller use should be made of his gangling frame. Give him more things to fall over and to break.

Mark Beardsmore as Duncan has a fine second act. His tortured resignation, as he sits in a wheelchair in his wrecked flat, is heartfelt.

This is an entertaining, unpretentious play. Audiences will go home chuckling. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ