Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness
‘In life one compromises or lives alone’ is one of the many brilliant one liners from Things we do for Love. This is a play is about relationships, their tenderness and destruction; there is wit and humour in abundance as well as dark, thought provoking moments. Be reassured though, it is unmistakeably classic Alan Ayckbourn, a fast paced, character-driven play that will engage all your emotions.
This production was also directed by prolific playwright Ayckbourn. It is a revival of the award winning and acclaimed West End play of 1997 which includes delicate and forbidden subjects within the hilarity and chaos of the player’s lives.
It is the story of Barbara, a fiercely independent, single woman who is in control of every aspect of her life. She has converted the attic and the basement of her house into separate flats. Downstairs lives Gilbert who willingly helps her around the house, when he’s not being a postman.
Upstairs is due to be occupied, temporarily, by an old school friend and her fiancée. From this seemingly ‘normal’ situation unravels a myriad of complex relationships that spiral out of control. The four characters are played magnificently by Tanya Loretta-Dee (Barbara) who is torn between keeping her emotions in check or falling haplessly in love. The dashing Hamish (Laurence Pears) who tries to please everyone with decreasing amounts of success: Nikki ((Georgia Burnell) the gullible, slightly neurotic, vengeful fiancée and Gilbert ((Leigh Symonds) ‘salt of the earth’ chap with some desperate secrets!
The imposing set is built in a traditional theatre arrangement (not in Ayckbourn’s usual theatre in the round). It is cleverly constructed with Barbara’s spotless living room as the central piece. Above is the lower section of the attic flat and to the side the ceiling section of the basement which adds an amusing addition to the continuity of the play.
Watch out for a well choreographed fight scene and the dirty version of the girl’s old school song.
Ruth Halsey
Things we do for Love runs at the Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness on Windermere until June 1. More information can be found at http://www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk
Stagey Lady 