Three couples, three bedrooms, three stories, this is ‘Bedroom Farce.’
This play, written by Sir Alan Ayckbourn, and currently playing at the fabulous The Mill at Sonning, is a light hearted comedy, all about one evening in the life of three couples whose stories eventually become intertwined. Ernest and Delia (Stuart Fox and Julia Hills) are an older retired couple, very comfortable with each other, getting dressed to go to dinner amidst a leak in their roof. Nick (Damien Matthews) is laid up on his sofa, unable to move due to back issues, while his wife Jan (Georgia Burnell) is at a party hosted by third couple Malcolm (Antony Eden) and Kate (Rhiannon Handy).
These couples night is ruined by the volatile relationship between Trevor (Ben Porter) and Susannah (Allie Crocker), who ruin Malcolm and Kates party by their fighting and inappropriate behaviour between them. Later Susannah winds up in Ernest and Delias bedroom who happen to be Trevor’s parents. It’s a convoluted chain of events that transpires and connects these couples, cleverly directed by Robin Herford with a cast of actors who easily fall into their characters with Fox and Hills just perfect as the couple whose evening is turned upside down.
The staging is perfect, as is the decor and running time, and to boot don’t forget the delicious meal that is included in the price of the ticket whether you attend an evening or matinee performance – all makes for a lovely experience.