GAMEPLAN. To 26 June.

Manchester

GamePlan
by Alan Ayckbourn

Library Theatre To 26 June 2004
Mon-Thu 7.30pm Fri-Sat 8pm Mat Wed & Sat 3pm
Audio-described 24 June, 26 June 3pm
BSL Signed 16 June 7.30pm
Runs 2hr 10min One interval

TICKETS: 0161 236 7110
www.librarytheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 7 June

Ayckbourn's understandably concerned over the quality of some productions of his plays; he need have no worries here.A typical mother/daughter relationship opens Alan Ayckbourn's play (originally one of a trio jointly-named Damsels in Distress, set in an identical Docklands flat). Except it's mother Lynette who behaves like a child, sneaking fags, truculent, tousle-haired. And 16-year old daughter Sorrel who tries to set her straight, in a smart assured manner.

Life has hit Lynette hard. She's been deserted by her husband and the stock-market (the play premiered in 2001), working 12-hour office-cleaning sessions to provide some income. Sorrel, still shielded by mother's efforts, knows it could mean leaving London. Dad's desertion's left her hating men, so with an ease born from inexperience she sets up as an internet prostitute.

Of course, it doesn't work out so easy. In a sense it doesn't work out at all. After several comic episodes, Ayckbourn leaves the outcome uncertain (in the old days there'd have been at least two more plays dependent on what happens at the end, when Lynette opens the door. In this case, what happens is the final fade-out).

Director Chris Honer doesn't go searching after every laugh rightly. There are funny sections, notably when tarted-up Sorrel tries out a photo-shoot of provocative poses on a punter (David Peart, stolid and comically serious) who only wants to talk about his dead wife and dry-cleaning. There's comedy too from pretty blonde (and pretty dense) school-friend Kelly, brought in to help out with the game plan.

But the play's about more than laughter. Nowadays, Ayckbourn values families, even if less nuclear than those he ripped apart with laughter in the 1970s. For he clearly values relationships based in love and humanity. There's no happier moment than unloved Kelly's smile when her only friend, about to go, says she'll miss her.

Alyson Coote's Kelly, facing life with brow-furrowed perplexity, admirably offsets Katherine Heath's Sorrel. Heath's technically accomplished performance shows straight-backed confidence, shiningly eager with all the answers till life goes beyond theory. Around them and Yvonne O'Grady's Lynette, springing between endurance and hope - there's near immaculate playing (Laura Richmond's bible-quoting WPC might be less one-dimensional) in another understanding, sympathetic Library production.

Lynette Saxon: Yvonne O'Grady
Sorrel Saxon: Katherine Heath
Kelly butcher: Alyson Coote
Leo Tyler: David Peart
Dan Endicott: Kieron Jecchinis
Grace Page: Laura Richmond
Troy Stephens: Leigh Symonds

Director: Chris Honer
Designer: Sarah Williamson
Lighting: Nick Richings
Sound: Paul Gregory

2004-06-09 11:49:47