Round and Round the Garden

An open curtain reveals the backyard of a Victorian country home. Director and set designer Bronwyn Calvett has captured the English charm perfectly with the garden, leaving enough space for the cast to move about.

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn is synonymous with writing characters who possess a multitude of flaws and this play is no different. Annie (Eryn Kralj), tired of caring for her invalid mother is joined by family for the weekend. Although clearly in love with the town vet Tom (Nathaniel Bayliss), She finds herself intertwined with Norman (Daniel Steele), who is married but equally bored and looking for excitement.

An unlikely leading man, Norman finds his attraction does not stop with the young Annie. He is relentless in his pursuit of a ‘quickie’. Steele is more of a cuddly toy than a leading man, but herein lies the comedy.

Challenging Norman for Annie’s affection is the awkward town vet Tom. Bayliss’s physicality highlights Tom’s gawkish manner and he too is an unlikely love-interest.

If things were not complicated enough, add Sarah and Reg (Norman’s brother), played by Linda Lawson and Chris Stansfield, along with Norman’s wife Ruth (Celia Latty-Steele) and what ensues is a weekend of misunderstandings and lust. It also captures an underlying sadness amongst the group.

Calvett has made some interesting casting choices. Although Kralj was adequate in her role, I found her appearance to be that of a teenager, rather than a hot-blooded woman keen for a naughty weekend. Relationships amongst the characters must be believable otherwise audience focus is pulled, and it becomes a distraction.

I longed for more pace with this show. Lack of timing in some delivery meant that we lost otherwise hilarious one-liners. Though there is a lot to be said for the long pause, this play needed to be performed at a frenetic pace, to highlight the farcical element.

What is so wonderful about community theatre is it gives everyone a chance to experience roles both on and off stage. Some of the cast had limited acting experience and this was evident in places. Although enthusiastic in their roles, more work was required on characterisation and stagecraft.

This aside, I have little doubt this play will have you laughing. The script, whilst dated in parts, still delivers a fun night at the theatre.

Kerry Cooper