IMPROBABLE FICTION: Alan Ayckbourn

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire

Runs: 2hrs 35min. Interval: 20 minutes: box office 01782 717962 runs until Sat 15th October 2005.

Ranjit Khutan: 5th October 2005.Fact is beginning to turn into Improbable Fiction in Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious new comedy. Ayckbourn’s 69th play features an amateur writing group, where everyone has at least one book in them, but is having problems getting it out. Secretly, their chairman Arnold Hassock considers that The Pendon Writers’ Circle is in a bit of a rut. Following a provocative talk from a guest speaker, Arnold is persuaded to throw down a challenge to his members and things get completely out of hand.

During the first act we are introduced to the characters at their writing group held at Arnold’s house. The interests of The Pendon Writers’ Circle are diverse – technical writing, science fiction, children’s writing – and they are prone (like any other writing group) to talk about writing rather than getting any done. During this act we are educated about the difficulties writers face, where they get their ideas from and how difficult sharing their work can be.

At times, it feels that this would be more suited to radio as there is little movement but through Ayckbourn’s witty script and the actors’ well timed delivery we are totally intrigued.

What follows in the second act is totally unexpected and filled with so much energy that we are jolted into hoots of uncontrollable laughter. We are exposed to a variety of stories that seamlessly weave into one another - poetic policemen, hapless girls in mortal danger and, Arnold’s mother abducted by aliens. The players manage the energy well and clearly enjoy switching between these different characters to show off their abilities.

IMPROBABLE FICTION is written with such skill and flair that only someone with Ayckbourne's extensive and successful writing career could pull it off. This is a brilliant play that starts of great and just gets better.

Arnold: John Branwell
Ilsa: Laura Doddington
Brevis: Terence Booth
Vivvi: Claire Swinbourne
Clem: Giles New
Jess: Becky Hindley
Grace: Eileen Battye

Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Designer: Roger Glossop
Lighting Designer: James Farncombe
Costume designer: Pip Leckenby
Original Music: Denis King
Dance arranged by: Sheila Carter
Stage manager: Fleur Linden Beeley

2005-10-11 08:28:27