Bedroom Farce
Bedroom Farce was written by Alan Ayckbourn in 1975, and this show is an hilarious revival of this classic. As with any visit to the wonderful Mill at Sonning, we start with a delicious pre show meal, with varied choices from the buffet complete with classic steak and ale pie!
The action takes place on a Saturday night, in the bedrooms of three couples. Every inch of the tiny Sonning stage is cleverly utilised to show the three bedrooms. We have Earnest and Delia’s middle aged couple’s bedroom, with its green bedspread, and matching bedside tables. We have professional couple Jan and Nick, with their more modern bedroom complete with black satin duvet. And finally we have newlyweds Kate and Malcolm, who’ve just moved into their new place, and are still unpacking, getting used to it, and to each other.
The first half takes a little while to get going, as we are introduced to the characters, and also get used to the switching between bedrooms and situations. Ernest (Stuart Fox) and Delia (Julia Hills) are worried about their son, Trevor (Ben Porter) who is going through a difficult time with his wife Susannah (Allie Crocker). His former girlfriend Jan (Georgia Burrell) is now married to Nick (Damian Matthews). There is a clever plot device that Malcolm has damaged his back, and spends the whole play on his back in bed, which is a lovely excuse for some well executed physical theatre from Damian Matthews and Georgia Burrell.
Kate (Rhiannon Handy) and Malcolm’s (Anthony Eden) are holding a party, and Jan, Trevor and Susannah are all present. Susannah and Trevor have an argument, and it ends with Trevor and Jan sharing a kiss.
The cast all gave excellent performances, especially stalwart Julia Hills, who I’ve seen several times recently in different roles, and who is always great. I also enjoyed young couple Malcolm and Kate, played by Antony Eden and Rhiannon Handy, and Damien Matthews’ Nick, was played with just the right amount of gritted teeth!
There are some lovely touches, including Ernest and Delia eating pilchards on toast in bed (reminiscent of Noises Off!), and Kate changing under the duvet after her bath, as guests put their coats on her bed. I especially loved the eye for detail of the 1970s decor, from the telephones to the flatpack furniture.
Director Robin Herford allows his cast to develop the pace as the play evolves and there are plenty of laughs in the second half. The play itself has dated, and society has moved on. Ayckbourn as a playwright, became much more sophisticated in his later plays. Much of the language used, and the scenarios, are very much “of their time” including Delia and Ernest’s anniversary meal at their ‘favourite’ restaurant, where they are ‘regulars’, going once a year!
Trevor wrecks not only the party, but also Nick and Jan’s night, by arriving unannounced to apologise for kissing Jan. When Susannah arrives to ask for her mother-in-law’s help, thus disturbing the older couple’s anniversary night (and pilchards in bed!) and the increasingly frantic Malcolm’s attempts at DIY, there is not much sleep for anyone.
Graham Weymouth’s quick lighting changes helped the audience to focus on the three contrasting bedrooms and scenarios.
Ayckbourn is well known for his portrayal of marriage in the middle classes and this revival has many hilarious moments, as well as a peek back at simpler times. It’s well worth a trip out to Sonning to catch this production.
This show was reviewed on the 10th August 2024 at The Mill At Sonning where it runs until the 21st September 2024. Tickets available here: Mill at Sonning
Review written by Ruth Hawkins
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Photo credit: Andreas Lambis
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