FOR STARTERS. To 9 September.

Scarborough

FOR STARTERS
by Nick Warburton

Stephen Joseph Theatre Restaurant In rep to 9 September 2004
1.10pm
Runs 50 min No interval

TICKETS: 01723 370541
Review: Timothy Ramsden 26 August

Comic delight at lunchtime; staring savoury and ending sweet.Nick Warburton has a neat way with comic dialogue. His play's so funny he should be able to choose between developing first-class full-length comedy for the theatre, or an easier life scripting TV. He might even produce a new British screen comedy to match The Full Monty. He really is that good, much helped here by two fine performances.

At first it looks as if we might have the wrong lunchtime at the Stephen Joseph Restaurant; the small stage area is filled with more tables. But this is where Mr Roland takes his habitual refreshment, served by new waitress Daisy. The play's a new variation on the story of the fresh young innocent who brings new life to a dried-up, habituated and initially deeply-reluctant older person.

Successful businessman Roland has shrugged off the responsibilities of home-owning and lives in this hotel. Daisy, who has Work Experience' stamped through her like Scarborough on a stick of rock, is a chatty type who invades his quiet, secluded world. Unaware of his routine, she takes each mistake as an opening for friendly talk. And she's the type to whom people open-up themselves, willy-nilly.

Warburton develops the unpromising relationship slowly, maintaining the dialogue's humour the plentiful one-liners never step out-of-line with character and situation. He leaves suggestions hanging in the air; was it Roland who had Daisy sacked, and/or reinstated? She never suspects him of the first, regarding this gruff man as her friend simply because she feels friendly towards him.

Laura Doddington gives her fresh-faced Daisy incorrigible cheerfulness and benevolence. Stuart Fox seems happier with a position of authority (as here and in Alan Ayckbourn's Drowning on Dry Land) than with the stuttering unconfidence of his character in the lunchtime companion-piece Her Slightest Touch.

Though director Laurie Sansom goes overboard with Nicola's disguised entry while not employed at the hotel (she's more like an enthusiastic work experience SAS recruit), he maintains the comic drive, letting Roland's final decision to move tables seem like a major lifestyle change - which any change is for this man. This is lunchtime as a happy hour indeed.

Daisy: Laura Doddington
Mr Roland: Stuart Fox

Director: Laurie Sansom
Designer: Pip Leckenby
Costume: Christine Wall

2004-08-31 17:33:09