If I Were You by Alan Ayckbourn at the Richmond Theatre
Men live in a sort of fantasy land.
The subject of Ayckbourn’s 70th play is once again the unbridgeable gulf between men and women. Neglected Jill seems resigned to being trapped in a tedious marriage to male chauvinist Mal. Any meaningful communication between the two has ceased a long time ago and the only sounds emerging from Mal are animal noises. While Jill is suffocating in her zombie-like existence Mal is having an extramarital affair with a girl named Trixie who he usually sees during lunch break. Mal has a good relationship with his daughter Chrissie – the disappointment of her being a girl faded when she reached top of her class. However, he has serious issues with his son Sam who does not live up to his expectations: Sam prefers acting to real man pastimes like playing football. Mal is far more impressed with his son-in-law Dean who considers himself "a girl’s best friend” but comes across as a younger and meaner version of Mal. Jill’s and Mal’s marriage seems to be heading for the rocks but Jill’s desperate prayer before settling for sleep on an especially dreadful day changes everything. As the first act closes the pair wakes to discover that Mal is now inhabiting his wife's body and she has switched to his.
Unfortunately, the transformation
does not occur until midway through the play which leaves the
first half too long. Establishing the characters and their
relationships is important but the first act seems to be dragging
on and appears to be too melodramatic. However, the second
act is gloriously funny and makes one forget the weaker first
half. It is absolutely hilarious to watch Liza Goddard swearing,
belching and punching their wife battering son-in-law Dean. The
new „Jill“ proves a completely incompetent housekeeper who cannot
even find the sugar leave alone change a hoover bag. Jack
Ellis as „Mal“ does not take recourse to effeminate gestures but
impersonates Goddard’s Jill with great sensitivity and a subtle
sense of humour.
Watching the couple's son, played by David Osmond, reacting to
the strange behaviour of his parents is delightful. In
a touching scene "Mal" who had never really cared for
his son makes Sam a sandwich and shows an interest in his theatre
aspirations.
1 June to 5 June 2010, 7.45 pm. Matinees: Wed and Sat at 2.30
pm
Richmond Theatre
The Green, Richmond, Surrey
TW9 1QJ
http://www.ambassadortickets.com/1799/659/Richmond/Richmond-Theatre/If-I-Were-You
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