It’s time to find out How The Other Half Loves
THE Festival Players are to take to the stage for the first time tonight (Wednesday, October 4) with one of Alan Ayckbourn’s most popular plays.
The group will be performing the highly entertaining How The Other Half Loves at Loughborough Town Hall until Saturday (October 7).
This Echo reviewer was invited to watch and review one of the group’s final rehearsals last week in The Festival Players’ practice space in Burder Street.
And, although it was in a rough and ready state with no costumes, props, or lighting, the cast of six put on a fantastic performance and had this reviewer laughing out loud.
The show, directed by Steve Illidge and designed by Andrew McGowan, is basically one big tale of matrimonial mishaps.
It follows primitive Bob Phillips and middle-class Fiona Foster as they try and clumsily cover up their affair and their spouses’ intervention only adds to the confusion.
William and Mary Featherstone, a painfully ordinary couple, become hopelessly stuck in the middle, falsely accused of adultery and with no idea as to how they’ve become involved.
The plot culminates in two disastrous dinner parties on successive nights, shown at the same time, after which the future of all the couples seems in jeopardy.
The Festival Player’s production sees Chris Nixon and Julie Easter take the roles of Frank and Fiona Foster with Kirt Hammonds and Hannah Levenston playing Bob and Teresa Phillips.
They are joined by Ian Currie and Rachel Ingham who star as the slightly-odd William and Mary Featherstone. And, wow, what a cast. It’s hard to pick out a standout performer as I was impressed by all the cast - but I must give a special mention to Chris Nixon, who repeatedly had this reviewer stifling laughter with his one-liners and brilliant comedic timing.
The couples are well paired, believable, and entertaining in their own peculiar ways.
They exuded professionalism and made this reviewer feel like it was in fact show night - not just another run through.
The storyline is brilliant and, what makes it more enjoyable is that it is clear those performing are having fun with it.
It’s light-hearted, it’s a little bit silly and it’s definitely got what it takes to be a hit with many.
• Tickets can be purchased from The Festival Players on 07855 248832, or the Loughborough Town Hall Box Office on 01509 231914.
Alternatively visit the Town Hall website at www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/events