Theatre Royal Bath Productions

 Presents

 Alison Steadman David Troughton in

Enjoy

 By Alan Bennett

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

This play was written in 1980 and is centred on two main characters, husband and wife Wilfred and Connie Craven played by David Troughton and Alison Steadman.  It is set in Leeds in the couple’s home, a back-to-back that is among the last to be demolished as part of a modernisation scheme in a run down working class area. The couple are expecting to be re-housed in a modern maisonette. It purports to be a comedy and the audience were in fits of laughter, myself included, however there were times other people were laughing more than I was and vice versa. There were also some very moving scenes that were quite sad.

The set features the interior of the house with its floors removed so that doors and windows open onto empty space. The decor was shabby and the furniture very basic.  There was a kitchen off the living room and the stairs also went up from the living space.

Wilfred and Connie had been married a long time and had very little left to say to each other. Wilfred had been injured by a hit and run driver which had left him with a metal plate in his head, a numb arm and he walked with a limp. Connie was in the early stages of dementia and kept forgetting things. They were clearly irritated by their own and each other’s medical conditions which led to constant bickering.

Their grown up daughter Linda, played by Josie Walker, lives at home but appears to travel a lot. Wilfred thinks she has a good job and is proud of her but when she eventually arrives home it is obvious she is a different type of “working girl”. They also have a son who is homosexual and estranged from them. However, he is reunited with them during the course of the play.

They don’t get many visitors so were anxious when there was a knock at the door. It transpired that the council had sent some sociologists to observe the remaining residents.  It was obvious that the young woman in the grey suit was in fact a man; Ms Craig was played by Richard Glaves. The observer sat in a chair with a note pad and they had been told not to engage them in conversation. Of course, once someone was watching their “normal” life things began to happen that were out of the ordinary.

Whilst Connie is out shopping a local youth calls round to see Wilfred and assaults him by hitting his head. The youth has his own “observer” with him and they both leave. Neither observer had intervened, both remained impartial. Connie returns home and eventually realises that Wilfred is very still, is he dead?  Unable to get any response Connie calls on her neighbour, Mrs Clegg played by Carol Macready, for assistance. Of course Mrs Macready also has an observer in tow. Believing Wilfred must be dead, although no one qualified has confirmed this, Connie and Carol attempt to lay him out, with some hilarious consequences. I won’t reveal any more of the plot, if you want to know what happens, go and see it.

Alison Steadman is excellent in the role of Connie Craven and gave a very powerful performance. David Troughton is also very good as Wilfred. Josie Walker was very plausible as the feisty Linda Craven. Carol Macready was very good as the extrovert Mrs Clegg.

This play is quite thought provoking, yes it’s a comedy but it’s also very emotional. I found it sad to see a couple who had been married for so long having seemingly lost what love they had for each other. Their daughter Linda was quite cold and uncaring and they were estranged from their son. The home and community they had known for so long was being bulldozed, would they be isolated in their new home? They were physically and mentally broken like their street and community and no one cared about them. How could the observers remain impartial when someone was in need of medical attention or help? Connie had mentioned the phone box had been vandalised, it made me realise how we take our mobile phones for granted, when not that long ago they didn’t exist. We would be able to call for help more quickly now. I think the difference in what people find funny will depend on how people relate to the characters. Those who are young may find some parts funnier than those who are not close to their children or are getting forgetful themselves. This play is very entertaining and well worth seeing.

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

The tour then continues playing Alhambra Theatre Bradford from Monday 19^th April to Saturday 24^th April 2010.

www.miltonkeynestheatre.com

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 12^th April 2010 on behalf of Catherine Brian