Relatively Speaking – Leeds Grand

THE PROGRAMME mentions that this Alan Ayckbourn play was first performed in London in 1967.

When the curtains opened, you hoped it was a period piece, as the wallpaper and posters in the bedsit were definitely that old.

I found this scene slow, and the argument between Ginny and Greg (played hesitantly at first by Lindsey Campbell and Antony Eden) seemed disjointed. Where was this going?

When you get through this scene you realise that it is the set-up to a brilliantly-crafted play. The rest of the play could, with tweaking, be anytime.

Scene Two and the rest of the play moved us to the lovely country house of Philip and Sheila (Robert Powell and Liza Goddard) and their middle-class issues.

Robert Powell stuttered in parts, and I found this added to his character.

For me though, Liza Goddard was the star of the show: she seemed relaxed and just eased throughout, playing her part of the ‘little woman at home’ perfectly.

After Scene One the cast came together and gained confidence, and the play bounced along at a quick pace.

For a play that is over 50 years old, this is a gem.

The Tuesday night audience laughed along with the story as it unfolded and we got to learn more about these four people.

So, all you have to do is survive the necessary Scene One then sit back and enjoy the rest of the show.

• Grand Theatre, Leeds, until Saturday. Visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call 0844 8482700 to book tickets.

Philip Smith