April in Paris at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury Review
April in Paris
Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
By John Godber | Running time – 2 hours
5-9 August 2014
Reviewed by Hilary Whates
‘What are you reading Mr. T?’
‘Oh, nothing’.
‘Good – we’re going out now’.
‘What now? I don’t want to go out’.
‘We’re going to the theatre and you’re driving’.
‘I’ll get my keys’.
Like many unsuspecting couples we headed to the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury to see the latest production of ‘April in Paris’ first written 22 years ago by Writer and Director John Godber as part of the Hull Festival and in response to a strengthening bond to Europe at that time against a local environment of high unemployment and a slump in the housing market.
The simple and very effective staging of a small monochrome house and decking together with a backdrop of clouds, like time, continuously rolling by, created the perfect atmosphere in the first half of the play for the brilliant performance by Shobna Gulati and Joe McGann – the only cast members – as married couple Al and Bet – struggling to come to terms with their present day lives, children left home, unemployment, lack of money – portraying through their amusing and often candid banter a sense of helplessness and frustration.
Having mocked Bet about her relentless entering of competitions Al finds himself having to say ‘sorry’ when Bet wins a romantic trip to Paris, albeit via the ferry from Hull. By now everyone is laughing, sometimes uproariously, at the continual quips, one liners and facial expressions delivered to perfection by Gulati and McGann. We are all convinced that this is a married couple and for many that maybe we too have uttered those words or raised that eyebrow. Mr T and Al could be twins…
So they arrive on the ferry and very grudgingly Al starts to enjoy himself – perfectly indicated by his slightly tapping foot at the disco while Bet literally gives her all to disco dancing the night away – absolutely hysterical. The sea-sickness scene is also particularly notable and very funny.
The second act finds the couple in Paris where the previously monochrome stage has become a mass of colour as Al and Bet take in with child-like enthusiasm the sights of the city and begin to see life beyond their own small world. Poignantly would-be artist Al, on visiting the Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa observes “We are just a tiny speck of dust when you realise what else is out there.”
This brilliantly written, well observed and magnificently performed play has many levels – comedy, pathos and a message to all that our horizons are only limited by our own perceptions. Just as the audience recognised the barbed banter of long-term relationships so too they engaged with the characters very real discovery of all the good things that life together could bring. All they need to do is look beyond their own horizon.
We walked back to the car.
‘You’re deep in thought Mr T.’
‘Yeessss. I think we need to make a few changes’.
‘Really? What did you have in mind?’
‘Next time you can drive.’
‘Ahem. I don’t think so…’
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £12.90 to £33.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
April in Paris is at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury until 9 August 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG
