PERFECT DAYS till 14 February

PERFECT DAYS: Liz Lochhead

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle Under Lyme
Box office 01782 717962

Runs: 3hrs 15 min. Interval: 20 minutes: Runs until Sat 14th February 2004

Review: Ranjit Khutan: 23rd January 2004

Strong comedy - and lots of it
Barbs - star of TV makeovers and successful businesswoman with her 'Razor City' hair dressing salon - lives alone in a trendy loft apartment in modern Glasgow. Fast approaching 40 she realises that she isn't getting any younger which is making her yearnings for a baby stronger by the day. But with no man on the scene, and recent failed attempts at finding a suitable one, she is left considering her options.

These include her ex husband Davie, who is ruled out as he is about to become a father himself and her employee/friend Brendan who happens to be gay and outrageously so. Lochhead adds to this mix her hilarious mother Sadie, Barbs's best friend Alice and Alice's given-up-for-adoption son Grant who suddenly appears on the scene. A mix that Lochhead uses to explore relationships, dreams and ambitions of the modern woman.

It's a little slow to start as threads of the story are developed but the clever use of language keeps you intrigued and waiting to see what the outcome of these will be. The play relies heavily on fast paced verbal interactions and director Sue Wilson's experience in radio is clearly useful: it enables her to highlight these so that physical movement does not hinder fast moving (and key) stories.

All the company work hard to keep the pace moving. Beth Tuckey is energetic in her portrayal of Barbs managing the fusion between being in and out of control of her emotions vocally and physically to great effect. Lawrence Evans's Brendan is likeable as the gay character it's no surprise that he's camp and used as a comedy vehicle but Evans rescues him from stereotype and brings out the subtleties of Brendan's emotional needs relating to fatherhood and relationships. Tina Gray's Sadie (Barbs's mother) is delightful. Her comedy delivery is impeccable and has the audience roaring with laughter.

The play is full of witty dialogue and twists to keep your interest but be prepared its 3 hours long with one interval and contains strong Glaswegian accents.

Alice: Susie Baxter
Brendan: Lawrence Evans
Sadie: Tina Gray
Davie: Peter Macqueen
Grant: Oliver Le Sueur
Barbs: Beth Tuckey

Director: Sue Wilson
Designer: Sarah-Jane McCelland
Choreographer: Lorelei Lynn
Voice Coach: Mark Langley
Lighting Designer: Jo Dawson
Sound Designer: James Earl-Davis
Stage manager: Andrew Billington

2004-01-27 20:32:25