Relatively Speaking			Download the programme.
Ayckbourn comedy has 'em singing in the aisles
Grasmere Players' new production has the audience singing in the aisles even before a word is spoken. The incomparable Alan Ayckbourn wrote Relatively Speaking, his comedy of human relationships, in 1967 and the players have set the play in 'period' costume complete with authentic soundtrack much appreciated by the large audience.
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		Director Margaret Hughes skilfully directs the lively and well-paced action. As the play opens we are treated to a wonderfully recreated 1960s bed-sit somewhere in Leeds with a snoring body in bed and a ringing telephone. This is the flat of Ginny, liberated young working girl, played with poise and aplomb by newcomer Naomi Birkett. Her sleeping bedfellow is Greg, seduced by Ginny's woman of the world manner, but traditionally conventional and suspicious of supposed rivals to his affections. Dan Blenkharn as Greg perfectly captures this mixture of naiveté and determination.
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Ginny announces she must visit her parents in the country and, after some excellent verbal sparring between the couple, exits to leave Greg pondering on her fidelity and resolving to follow and surprise her.
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		Cut to a sunny garden where successful businessman Philip (Hugh Wright in fine comic form) and his long-suffering wife Sheila, played with excellent comic timing by Moira Rowlinson, are bickering gently in the familiar way of lengthy relationships. Enter Greg, confident that he is at the house of Ginny's parents. Cue for much wonderful dialogue as the comedy of mistaken identities develops. In classic Ayckbourn style, confusions and hidden suspicions of romantic connections rise to the surface. Split second comic timing carries the action with pace and confidence to the hilarious but perfect final line.
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Terrific costumes (were skirts really that short!) and excellent backstage support makes for a thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment..
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Pam Williamson The Westmorland Gazette, 2nd July 2004.