The New Vic becomes one of only a few venues which are playing host to Alan Ayckbourn’s latest production ‘Show & Tell’.
Marking the 65th anniversary of Ayckbourn’s professional debut as a director, it comes in his 85th year and is his 90th play. Some huge numbers for the legendary figure.
Premiering on 10th October this year, it tells the tale of retired department MD, Jack, who is planning a big party for his wife’s birthday and has booked a theatre company to perform in the family home. But Jack’s getting a bit forgetful in his old age and can’t remember all the details. Meanwhile, The Homelight Theatre Company is on its knees and Jack’s booking is very well paid. Pinning him down on the details has been tricky and something doesn’t feel quite right.
The four scenes within the two acts whilst playing out very differently, yet all have a similar perspective, what is shown on the surface is not always what lies beneath.
Bill Champion plays Jack Bothridge with both humour and compassion. Paul Kemp steals a number of scenes with a fabulous performance as Jack’s former colleague Ben. Frances Marshall and Richard Stacey play Homelight Theatre Company partners, squabbling incessantly over the direction and ideology of the group, whilst Olivia Woolhouse (making her professional debut admirably) as Steph seems nonchalant to it all, giving the impression that she has been witness to the ongoing conflict for some time.
Ayckbourn’s “play within a play” is a novel idea, used in 1984’s ‘A Chorus Of Disapproval’, although Show & Tell’s French farce is a far cry from ‘The Beggar’s Opera’. All four however capture it absolutely spot on as the farce, becomes even more ridiculous as the performance in the front hall progresses.
The production is funny, warm and thought provoking. There is a passage in the play about how when audience and performer come together there is a kind of magic. That is achieved here with the cast of five.
The show is on until 26th October with several matinees. Tickets can be booked via the box office or online here: https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/show-tell/
Photo Credit Tony Bartholomew
