Review: Woman In Mind at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Anyone For Earl Grey Omelettes?

Woman In Mind

Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Until Saturday 10^th May 2014.

Written by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Kate Wilkins & Sean Burnside

The torment of middle class suburban life is portrayed in this fine black comedy by the prolific Alan Ayckbourn. The story centres around middle-aged housewife Susan, who was skilfully characterized by Penny Lamport. Susan has an accident with a rake that leaves her concussed. She imagines a parallel world in which she is doted upon by daughter Lucy, husband Andy and brother Tony which were cheerfully played by Emma Jane Richards, Pete McAndrew and Craig Fairbairn. This fictional family are both successful and loving.

In reality her life is much more dysfunctional with husband Gerald and his sister Muriel struggling to see eye to eye with Susan. In these roles Peter Harrison and Anne Carter manage to successfully combine the comedic lines with the more serious parts of the plot. The problems of making coffee with the wrong type of coffee and Earl Grey Omelettes add light relief as Susan struggles to come to terms with her situation.

 

Photos by Paula Smart

Susan’s son, Rick, eventually appears on the scene with surprising news and Joe Robson made a quick impression in this role as a young man with a lot on his mind. As the situation deteriorates the local Dr Bill Windsor tries to broker the peace and fix the patient. In this role Michael Short mixed Norman Wisdom stumbles, puppet routines and sharp humour with the comic timing necessary for the role. Comedy is a strict discipline that relies on quality delivery and timing, otherwise the situation falls flat. This cast, under the direction of Kate Wilkins and Sean Burnside, produce many honest laughs from the appreciative audience.

This production successfully combined the serious issues with regular humorous moments to weave a fabulous black comedy.

Photos by Paula Smart

The play runs from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 May at The People’s Theatre in Heaton. Tickets are available from the Box Office on 0191 265 5020 and online via www.peoplestheatre.co.uk.

Photos by Paula Smart: https://www.facebook.com/wildheartsandwishesphotography

This review was written by Stephen Oliverfor Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo   

LISTINGS INFORMATION: WOMAN IN MIND by Alan Ayckbourn

DATE:             Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 May 2014

TIME:               7.30pm

VENUE:           The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,

NE6 5QF

TICKETS:        £12.50 (Concessions £10)
TELE:              0191 265 5020
WEBSITE:      www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

TWITTER:      @peoplestheatre

Preview: Woman in Mind by Alan Ayckbourn Newcastle People's Theatre

 “Why have I gone to hell? Why me? 
I’ve tried so terribly hard, too.”

Woman in Mind by Alan Ayckbourn

Newcastle People's Theatre

Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 May 2014 

With 78 plays under his belt, Alan Ayckbourn gives Shakespeare a run for his money when it comes to which writer is more performed in the UK in any given year.

With such a vast back catalogue to choose from, including A Small Family Business currently enjoying a successful revival at the National Theatre, the People’s have decided to stage one of the writer’s blacker comedies, Woman In Mind.

Much different from a lot of Ayckbourn’s earlier work, and considered by many to be one of his best, the play charts the gradual mental collapse of Susan (Penny Lamport), a housewife and mother who is no longer sure what her role in the world is.

Her disinterested husband, priggish son and appalling sister-in-law do nothing to help her make her life meaningful. So she retreats into fantasy, creating in her mind an ideal world with a perfect family and a glorious country estate.

 

 Penny Lamport as Susan (centre) in Woman In Mind - Photo by Paula Smart

The play is told through Susan’s eyes, and as she declines the line between the real world and her imaginings gets increasingly blurry, and fantasy and reality become confused.

Director Kate Wilkins comments “it’s something of a ‘taboo’ subject for comedy, but Ayckbourn has created beautifully drawn characters. It’s funny, poignant and very affecting”.

Funny, thoughtful and perceptive, Woman In Mindconfirms Ayckbourn’s status as the master of tragi-comedy.

The play runs from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 May at The People’s Theatre in Heaton. Tickets are available from the Box Office on 0191 265 5020 and online via www.peoplestheatre.co.uk.

Photos by Paula Smart: https://www.facebook.com/wildheartsandwishesphotography

LISTINGS INFORMATION: WOMAN IN MIND by Alan Ayckbourn

DATE:             Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 May 2014

TIME:               7.30pm

VENUE:           The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,

NE6 5QF

TICKETS:        £12.50 (Concessions £10)
TELE:              0191 265 5020
WEBSITE:      www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

TWITTER:      @peoplestheatre