Relatively Speaking at the Theatre Royal Brighton Review
Relatively Speaking
Theatre Royal, Brighton
5-10 September 2016
Reviewed by Louise Watts
Last evening myself and my husband (both in our early 40’s) attended the beautiful Theatre Royal in Brighton to watch Relatively Speaking, by Alan Ayckbourn. The cast consisted of only 4 but what a star studded cast it was! The wonderful and rather good looking Robert Powell starred as Philip, a middle aged man suffering a bit of a mid-life crisis in his love life and marriage to Sheila – played by the beautiful and talented Liza Goddard.
The story is based around Philip and Sheila who unexpectedly receive 2 visitors on a sunny Sunday morning. The visitors are Greg, played by the incredibly funny Antony Eden and his girlfriend of a month Ginny, played by the stunning Lindsey Campbell. Greg wants to ask for Ginny’s hand in marriage and heads off to surprise her at her parent’s house (well that is where she has told him she is going anyway!!)
It becomes apparent to the audience (but not the cast) that there has been a terrible mix up as her “Father” is actually her ex-lover whom she had an affair with and a wealth of comedy ensues as it slowly becomes apparent to all what the truth is! The play was written in the 1960’s and is still representative of life then. There are many classic lines and very funny moments. The acting was incredible; the set was absolutely beautiful. The audience was mainly people in their 60’s and 70’s and there were many of them in fits of laughter! They seemed to find some bits funnier than we did and I think that is a reflection of the content of the play and the era within which it was written.
The theatre itself is stunning and is a grade 2 listed building. It has a capacity of 952 seats over 4 levels. It opened in June 1807 and its beauty is obvious all around the auditorium. All the staff were courteous and polite and the evening was very enjoyable all round.
We parked in the local NCP car park where they offer an evening rate of £4.50 which is fairly reasonable considering it is in the city centre.
Overall, this was a very light hearted comedy with endless comedy moments. Possibly suited more for the over 60’s than the younger ones like me.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £15.90 to £41.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Relatively Speaking is at the Theatre Royal in Brighton until 10 September 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7650.
Theatre Royal. New Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1SD | 0844 871 7650
