Alan Ayckbourn’s dark tragi-comedy sees three very different couples in their three kitchens over three successive Christmas Eves, each kitchen speaking volumes about its owners as each couple in turn hosts a drinks party of wildly differing content and outcome.
This acerbic observation of 70s morals introduces us first to the upwardly mobile control freak Sidney and his obsessively house-proud wife Jane, next to failing architect and adulterer Geoff (Paul Cresser) and his suicidally depressed wife Eva (Abi Lee), and lastly to down-at-heel bank manager Ronald (Adam Taussik) and his alcoholic wife Marion (Adelle Spindlove).
Credit must go to all the players in sustaining the comedy through a long evening, extended of necessity by two complete scene changes (congratulations to the stage crew).
Neil Gwynne was outstanding as Sidney, social climber par excellence, who finally has all the others dancing to his tune, as was Jane Milone as his put-upon but supportive wife.
Ed Howson
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