There’s nothing like a good family get-together to bring out the best and worst in relatives.
Alan Ayckbourn can always be relied upon to have his characters display the full range of emotions in his farces.
Here, the extended Bunker family gather at the home of Neville and Belinda to celebrate Christmas, but the cracks in the various relationships soon show, to hilarious effect.
A hint to how the play is likely to end is given when security-guard Uncle Harvey appears in full commando uniform, displaying an unnerving penchant for violence and John Petroff (who also co-directs, with Lisa Siuda) is the stand-out performer here.
Michelle Turner greatly impressed as Belinda, driven into the arms (and under the Christmas tree!) of writer Clive (Jeremy Seacombe).
Karen Ward delivers a wonderfully alcoholic Phyllis, the puppet-show presented by the excellent John James (dozy-doctor Bernard) was brilliantly-constructed and the whole room-set was fantastic.
Alan Johns
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