Role Play by Alan Ayckbourn.
Nov 30th - Dec 2nd 2006 at The Whitley Bay Playhouse.
Directed by Jeff Waites.
Alan Ayckbourn is such a good, well-known author it is obvious why we decided to do one of his scripts. "RolePlay", his 60th play written in his 60th year, is one of the funniest and cleverly written of those we considered. Winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy 2003 - what more recommendation could we need. "RolePlay" is part of the Damsels in Destress trilogy. Each of the three comedies is a self-contained play with a common theme linking them together - young women in various states of destress and the plays are also linked by the same setting, in a London Docklands appartment.
This gem of a piece, dealing with Justin and Julie-Ann, who live together, and call in the family on both sides to announce their engagement, culminating in a desastous dinner party, allows Ayckbourn to explore all the people involved, divided by class, accent, habits and values. As well as the families involved, they are joined by neighbours, one of whom literally "drops in" (keep an eye on the balcony!)
Julie-Ann and Justin don't seem to really communicate exceptionally well, and from the start you wonder about their destinies, and this is all before anyone else arrives! So add to the situation a gangster, a lap dancer, Julie-Ann's mummy and daddy from Yorkshire, Justin's inebriated society driven mother - not to mention the havoc a "dessert fork" can do! and you have all the ingredients of an absurd, broad humoured situation - but one that will make you laugh - a lot!