"Confusions" by Alan Ayckbourn

Your Chance Productions.

Derby Theatre Studio.

"Confusions" is a series of five one act plays which link into each other. Previously I'd only seen four of the five plays performed before, so while I knew the quality of four, I was really looking forward to seeing all five; I wasn't disappointed, but then again, I'm an Ayckbourn fan, and love his observational style of comic writing.

The majority of the cast I'd not seen before, so it was lovely to take in fresh faces. Comedy is the hardest form of entertainment to get right, whether that be the timing of a theatre play or stand-up comedy. This cast delivered in the way that Ayckbourn had written the comedy, and even when there are pauses in the script, they were intentionally written in to highlight the visual comedy, everything was timed wonderfully to allow the comedy to breathe, and for the audience to digest the writing style of Big Al.

So, here's a quick teaser for the individual plays, and forgive me for not commenting on every individual character/actor performance, as I normally do, because this septet of actors worked like a well-oiled stage machine, and they all made sure that Friday night kick started my weekend perfectly. Great set of plays performed by a great group.

"Mother Figure"

Lucy is a mother of three, a house-bound wife who rarely sees her husband Harry and has reached the point where she barely bothers to look after herself as so much of her time and attention is centred on the children. Not answering the phone or the door, neighbours Rosemary and Terry come round with news that Lucy's husband Harry has been calling and is worried at not getting a response. So used to dealing with nothing but children, Lucy proceeds to treat her visitors as if they were her children, and I loved how quickly both Rosemary and Terry reverted back into childish behaviour to get what they wanted around Lucy.

Lucy is played by Nicole Graley.

Rosemary, played by Samantha Hempsall.

Terry is played by Darren Taylor.

"Drinking Companion"

Harry is in a hotel bar and returns from trying to phone his wife to talk to an attractive younger woman, Paula, sat on her own. Harry, who fancies himself as a ladies' man, clumsily tries to chat her up, but she deflects his increasingly unsubtle suggestions. They are joined by Bernice, who works with Paula and has been waiting for her in the foyer. Harry also starts hitting on Bernice, whilst offering an insight into his sad life and marriage.

Harry is played by Martin Weston

Bernice is played by Nicole Graley

Paula is played by Samantha Hempsall

The Waiter is played by Madeleine Levy.

This section has to be my favourite because I've been around long enough to spot slimeballs like Harry - played brilliantly by Martin - and you see the embryo of the star of the next playlet in the waiter as they also have seen this scenario so many times working at the hotel. 

"Between Mouthfuls"

In the hotel's restaurant, the same Waiter is serving dinner to a middle-aged businessman Donald Pearce and his wife Emma. As they make their choices, the Waiter moves away and the dialogue between the Pearces fades out; from this point, we hear only what the Waiter hears when he is within earshot of one of the two tables. Polly and Martin enter the restaurant and are seated at another table, despite Martin wanting to go elsewhere as he works for Donald. As the meals progress, it emerges Donald has just returned from a business trip to Italy, although his wife suspects he was doing more than business!

Mr. Pearce is played by Andrew Barlow

Mrs Emma Pearce is played by Phillipa Buchanan

Martin is played by Darren Taylor

Polly, played by Nicole Graley

The Waiter, still played by Madeleine Levy.

Madeleine delivered a blinding comedy performance, and while you were given plenty of jigsaw pieces to piece together what had gone on within the two dining couples, you had that Chaplinesque "sad clown" style waiter keeping the flow going, enabling everyone to get the story via the conversational snippets. One of Ayckbourn's best short plays in my opinion.

"Gosforth's Fete"

A tea tent is being prepared for an afternoon fête into which Councillor Emma Pearce enters and meets Milly, who is organising the tea. Emma notes how the wolf cub pack, meant to be doing a PT display, are currently throwing stones at a caravan. The divorced, local landlord Gosforth enters, also berating the cub pack, who introduces himself to Emma. He is rather pre-occupied with organising the event, particularly the broken sound-system and the ominous thunder clouds overhead. The local vicar arrives and Emma is handed over to him while Gosforth tries to repair the tannoy amplifier. As he attempts to do this, Milly tells him she is pregnant with his child and worries what her fiancé, Stewart, will say. But has the cat been let out of the bag without either of them realising?

Mrs Pearce is played by Phillipa Buchanan.

Milly is played by Nicole Graley.

Gosforth, played by Andrew Barlow.

The Vicar is played by Samantha Hempsall.

Stewart is played by Martin Weston.

This is the one that I'd not previously seen, as far as I can remember, but slots in so well with the others. 

"A Talk In The Park"

Four people are sat on four park benches in a park. Arthur arrives and asks if the seat by Beryl is empty. He proceeds to talk and Beryl moves to the next bench because he won't stop talking. She sits next to Charlie and begins talking about her abusive husband leading Charlie to move away and sit next to Doreen to start talking about the state of his life. Doreen - Gosforth's ex-wife - believing she is about to be attacked, moves to sit next to Ernest and begins talking about her fears and her dogs. Ernest creeps away to Arthur, bemoaning the fact this woman started talking to him and telling an unconcerned Arthur about his life. This turns into a round as each person tries to get the attention of the person next to them.

Arthur is played by Darren Taylor.

Beryl is played by Samantha Hempsall.

Charles is played by Andrew Barlow.

Doreen is played by Phillipa Buchanan.

Ernest is played by Martin Weston.

Now, this short play is one that I can really recognise. Not from sitting on a park bench but with riding buses, but you can't quite escape as easy as these characters.

Every actor gets to play very different characters to the one they played before, which also meant they got to show off several different skills, as well as accents - and you know I love accents! Every actor apart from Madeleine whose role was just that of the waiter. That one role though was so strong, albeit understated.

If you love clever comedy, you will just adore this presentation, directed by Jessica McLean

"Confusions" will be at the Derby Theatre Studio until Saturday 1 July.