Relatively Speaking – Wyndham’s Theatre, 16 May 2013

Alan Ayckbourn’s first major success, this Theatre Royal Bath production is the first major revival since the original opening in 1967.

Greg has only been dating Ginny for a month, but is already thinking of marriage and so insists on accompanying her to visit her parents to ask for their blessing. She refuses, but as echoes of her previous relationships surface Greg decides to follow anyway. He arrives at Philip & Sheila’s before her and joins them for afternoon tea – not realising that they aren’t actually her parents.

Although the mistaken identities generate some genuine belly laughs, they don’t come until partway through the second act, and the first act is so lacking in humour that I’d almost lost faith by the interval.

This may be due to the original production having had more of an impact in its day – on reading the programme I was surprised to learn that it was arguably the first time that the sex lives of an unmarried couple had been openly depicted on stage. It may be due to modern audiences being so desensitized to such depictions that makes the first act seem dull – indeed, the pensioners sat next to me were having a grand afternoon with more fun ogling and giggling at Max Bennett’s bare posterior.

The farcical elements of the second half do redeem the production though, with excellent comic timing and engaging performances from all four of the cast.

‘Relatively Speaking’ is at Wyndham’s Theatre and currently booking to 31 August 2013.

Cast:
Sheila – Felicity Kendal
Philip – Jonathan Coy
Ginny – Kara Tointon
Greg – Max Bennett

Creative:
Written by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Lindsay Posner
Designed by Peter McKintosh