Forty years ago this comedy’s London production made the capital aware of Alan Ayckbourn as a writer of sparkling comedy. Michael Hordern and Celia Johnson led it as the affluent middle-aged couple living in Buckinghamshire, visited on a Sunday morning by two young people. The quartet are linked by businessman Philip, who’s had a fling with young employee Ginny. He’s still sending her flowers and chocolates, filling her London flat, and the mind of boyfriend Greg with suspicions.
Ayckbourn spins a fine web of misunderstandings in a brilliantly sustained dialogue of cross-purposes. But the ingenuity lies also in the placing of partial revelations as the pair in the dark begin finding out how their other halves have been living. All four become deliriously enmeshed in the web of lies and innocently misleading statements the situation produces. Yet each character remains believable. And time’s passing has made the play a period piece rather than merely dating it.
In the play it is clear to see the themes and characters explored in Ayckbourn's later plays – where men are always bamboozled by women and there is more going on behind the neatly-cut hedges of suburbia than taking tea on the lawn.
Peter Bowles is one of Britain's most distinguished actors, having achieved national recognition for his starring roles in TV's To The Manor Born (including the 2007 Christmas Day special), The Bounder and The Irish RM. Recent West End performances include Hay Fever, The Old Masters and Sleuth.
Diane Fletcher has had an extensive career both on stage and in television. She was last seen on the Milton Keynes Theatre stage as Mrs Lintott in the National Theatre’s acclaimed sell-out History Boys. Last year she made a well received appearance as Clare Short in Called to Account at the Tricycle Theatre. Television appearances have been many and varied, including House of Cards, Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders and Inspector Morse.
To book your seats call the theatre Box Office on 0870 060 6652 (bkg fee) or visit www.miltonkeynestheatre.com for more information.
