Confusions

Confusions by Alan Ayckbourn is a series of five interconnected one act plays. The plays are all loosely linked to the play before them by characters or location, and also through the shared themes of isolation, obsession and the human need for connection.

The first play ‘Mother Figure’ is directed by Troy Coelho, and features Georgia Collie as a mother, Lucy, who is struggling to care for her children while her husband is away. When neighbour Rosemary (a nicely concerned Anna Stewart) and her chauvinistic husband Terry (a likably unlikeable Will Evans) come to check on her, she treats them in the only way she knows - as slightly wayward children. While this feels a little more stilted than its companion pieces, it features some performers to watch and sets the show rolling nicely.

We meet Lucy’s absent husband in the second play, ‘Drinking Companions’, directed by Hannah Quaden in a solid directorial debut. Travelling businessman Harry (an appropriately sleazy Michael Allen) flirts unceasingly will perfume saleswoman Paula, played with especially admirable non-verbals by Ella Gorringe. When Paula’s friend Bernice (played nicely by Luci Waters) arrives, Harry tries his luck with her as well. The scene is supplemented with some well-placed upstaging by Audrey Poor as the waiter.

Audrey Poor’s waiter is the anchor figure of the following play, ‘Between Mouthfuls’, directed by Anna Stewart. Two couples argue their way through respective dinners as their stories entwine. Good teamwork from Thomas Desmond and Jessie Appleyard as Mr and Mrs Pearce, and Georgia Collie and Will Evans and Polly and Martin, with Audrey Poor working hard to tie the show together.

After interval “Gosforth’s Fete’ (directed by Ella Gorringe) follows a village fete as it sinks into chaos. Hannah Quaden is a most unlikely casting choice as publican Gosforth, but works hard nevertheless. Georgia Collie is sweet as village lass Millie, whose affair and pregnancy are accidentally revealed in a very public manner, with Will Evans very funny in his grief, as her betrayed fiancé Stewart. Jessie Appleyard reprises her role as Mrs Pearce from the previous play in a nicely structured cameo, with Troy Coelho providing support as the local vicar.

The final show, the most poignant in the quintet, is set in the same park as the ill-fated fete. ‘A Talk in the Park’, directed by Cat Acres, features five strangers, each with their own troubles, who lament the fact that they are not heard, but are not hearing those around them. It features Michael Allan, Luci Waters, Troy Coelho, Audrey Poor and Thomas Desmond - all in very different characters from their previous roles.

The directors have worked well together to create a cohesive piece that flows well from show to show, and has a clear overall vision, with each play a solid piece on its own. Kudos to shared Stage Manager Liv Trahair for the smooth transitions.

Confusionsis an enjoyable showcase of emerging actors, directors and technicians and is an easy to watch show with some interesting messages.

Kimberley Shaw