UK Theatre Network

Bill Kenwright presents Alan Ayckbourn’s

Bedroom  Farce

Directed by Peter Hall

At Milton Keynes Theatre

As I had anticipated from its name this play was very amusing. It features four couples at different stages of their relationships. The set consisted of three different bedrooms side by side. Each had a different bed and decor. Lighting was used to illuminate the bedroom(s) where the action was taking place and to plunge it into darkness when the focus was on a different room.

The first couple we saw were the mature Delia (Juliet Mills) and Ernest (Bruce Montague). They were getting ready to go out for an anniversary meal and   were chattering about different things; Delia was concerned about their son Trevor’s marriage whilst Ernest was more interested in their leaking roof and damp patches.  Juliet Mills was excellent in the role and although Bruce Montague was amusing, at times he seemed to mumble and I found it difficult to hear what he said.

In another bedroom Maxwell Caulfield’s character Nick was confined to bed with an injured back, and was complaining to his wife Jan (Clare Wilkie) that he was bored. Jan’s patience was clearly being tested but her decision to attend Kate and Malcolm’s party gave her some respite.

We then see Kate (Julia Mallam) and Malcolm (Ayden Callaghan) in their bedroom preparing for their party. They appear to be the happiest couple we have seen so far and are engaged in horseplay. The first guest arrives early before Kate has had time to get dressed after her bath. It’s Trevor, (Oliver Boot) and he’s come to leave his coat in the bedroom. Other guests arrive and the coats are piling up. Trevor’s wife Susannah, (Natasha Alderslade) arrives and it is soon clear that the rumours about their marriage problems are true. Having disrupted the party, Trevor and Susannah individually impose themselves on the other couples, causing more friction and discord. They seem unaware their behaviour is self centred and inconsiderate.

The first half of this play was a little slow in places but the pace improved in the second half. It got funnier as the play progressed, the characters were plausible and the timing was excellent. I found Malcolm’s attempt at assembling a flat pack and the end result particularly hilarious. Another favourite was when Nick had fallen asleep in an awkward position.  I also liked the way Nick refused to be drawn into lengthy discussions with Trevor. Jan’s attempts at getting Nick back into bed after he had fallen on the floor were hilarious. I also found the neurotic Susannah’s nightmares very amusing. In fact her character was quite comical generally, but I don’t think you’d want to live with her. I found this production very enjoyable and amusing and well worth seeing.

Bedroom Farce plays Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday 12^th July to Saturday 17^th July 2010. Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652 (bkg fee).

The tour then continues playing Everyman Theatre Cheltenham from Monday 19^th July to Saturday 24^th July 2010.

www.miltonkeynestheatre.com www.kenwright.com

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 12^th July 2010.