Players are Relatively enjoyable

The Broughton Players made a bright start to the new season with a sparkling production of one of Alan Ayckbourn’s most popular plays.

Written in 1965, Relatively Speaking was Ayckbourn’s seventh play and his first West End hit and it is as relevant today as it was then.

James Holland was assured as young Greg, who is in love with Ginny but concerned she might have another lover.

He has every reason to be worried as Ginny, played by Laura Canavan in her best seductive manner, has been seeing an older man.

She has been trying to finish with him, but he keeps sending flowers and chocolates so she goes to his house to tell him once and for all to leave her alone.

James, however, mistakenly thinks she is going to visit her parents so decides to follow her and ask the man – whom he believes to be her father but is really her lover – for her hand in marriage.

As one might imagine, chaos follows.

David Birch is the harassed Philip who has the task of hiding his affair from glamorous wife (Kath Dobson) while letting James think he is Ginny’s father.

A series of misunderstandings ensue but the play never descends into farce for which credit must go to the directors, Melvyn Carter and Wyn Tag.

Altogether an enjoyable evening which whets the appetite for the society’s next production in February, Peter Gordon’s Par for the Course.

Ron Ellis