ALAN Ayckbourn never believes in making life too cosy for audiences or performers, and this comedy is considerably more challenging than most. It has an intriguing plot set over a 40 year time span (think Doctor Who or H G Wells’ The Time Machine) in which the characters move in and out of different periods and by doing so are able to see into the future. The concept works well although I was more than a little bemused by the final scene, which I am still trying to work out as I write.

Such a complicated plot needs an accomplished cast to pull it off, and the Players succeeded admirably. Joanne Guess, wearing a costume that almost certainly guaranteed the undivided attention of all the men in the audience, gave a superb performance as “dominatrix” Poopay, whose visit to a dying man, Reece, (Peter Fereday, who also directs) in his London hotel room starts off the entire chain of events.

Janine Williams is equally strong as Reece’s second wife, Ruella, while Richard Farrow is frighteningly evil as Reece’s business partner, Julian. There are fine performances too from George Fuller (Harold) and Judy Garrett (Jessica). And as for what suddenly looms up from the sofa – pass me the smelling salts please.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Evening Echo