PERFECT DAYS by Liz Lochhead. Palace Theatre, Watford

Watford

PERFECT DAYS
by Liz Lochhead

Palace Theatre Watford To 24 November 2001
Runs 2hr 30min One interval

TICKETS 01923 225671
Review E.K. Hudson 15 October at Library Theatre, Manchester

A comic and thoughtful portrayal of a successful hairdresser longing for motherhood.I thoroughly enjoyed this production of Liz Lochhead’s Perfect Days. Starring a bottle blonde Race Davies (of Eastenders fame), it was hilarious, touching and exciting from the start. Set in Barbs Marshall’s (Davies) penthouse apartment, time on the biological clock is ticking away as Barbs reaches her 39th birthday.

Even with her celebrity hairdresser status and subsequent successful lifestyle as a single, very attractive entrepreneur, Barbs longs for a baby and is forced to desperate measures to achieve her aims. This includes attempting a re-match with her “ex-husband” (though separated they are still married) who remains a close friend and most daring of all, asking her gay hairdressing partner, Brendan to donate the sperm so they can parent a child. All of this takes place under the watchful eye of her down-to-earth yet lively mother (Janet Henfrey). The show takes you by surprise with full frontal nudity from Barbs’ young love interest (Lee Haven-Jones) to excellent comic effect.

Tackling such themes as the nature of friendship, adoption, the need for motherhood, loving relationships and ageing, Lochhead’s dialogue is immediately accessible and often poetically lyrical. This creates the depth of character which is the drama’s great achievement. Cleverly transposed from the original Glaswegian dialect to a more recognisable Mancunian form, with relevant geographical references, the play becomes immediately relevant to the Manchester audience.

Interspersed with 80’s pop songs, this piece is perfectly paced and eminently watchable. I would heartily recommend a visit to all those looking for a laugh and a bit of common insight into the lives of everyday folk.

Alice: Joanna Bacon
Barbs: Race Davies
Brendan: Danny Edwards
Grant: Lee Haven-Jones
Sadie: Janet Henfrey
Dave: Andy Williams

Director: Roger Haines
Designer: Judith Croft
Lighting: Nick Ritchings

2001-10-19 01:05:28