REVIEW: Absurd Person Singular, Connaught Theatre, Worthing

I was not the only one keen to see Elizabeth Carling (from Casualty) live on stage but she is unfortunately injured and was unable to make the early part of Absurd Person Singular's run at the Connaught Theatre.

Very quickly, though, disappointment turned to pleasure as her understudy, Louise Brighton, was superb in the role of Eva, one half

of three couples who get together over Christmas at each others houses for three years in a row.

And that pleasure extended across the audience as people audibly enjoyed identifying the well-known faces who were there - Lisa Kay (Nurse Carol Cassidy in ITV1's Heartbeat), Matthew Cottle (Game On), Stephen Beckett (Coronation Street and The Bill), Deborah Grant (Not Going Out, and many more) and Robert Duncan (Drop the Dead Donkey).

There was much laughter and hilarity as the audience, I suspect, spotted little bits of their own friends - or even themselves - in the characters on stage.

Ayckbourn is well known for his characterisations, particularly studying the way men treat women and visa versa, and that idea that neither understands the opposite sex.

The play was first produced in the 1970s and the three scene changes necessitate three acts, taking us back to the traditional two intervals that used to be expected in theatre.

First up is Sidney and Jane, who host a madcap party for friends and the businessmen Sidney is trying to impress.

This was Ayckbourn's first play to explore the dramatic possibilities of off-stage action, hence much running in and out of doors and several moments when no-one at all is on stage.

You soon become used to it, so when it comes to Geoffrey and Eva's party, it seems less frenetic.

The unhappy couple seem to have forgotten they've invited everyone over and Eva is in no mood for talking, let alone hosting - but this turns out to be the funniest of the three parties.

Finally, everyone descends on Ronald and Marion, and some of the characters secrets are finally unravelled, bringing a darker element to the comedy.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and never seemed dated.

Absurd Person Singular runs at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing, until Saturday, at 7.30pm daily, plus a Saturday matine at 2.30pm.

Tickets 19.50 and 23.50. evenings, 14.50 and 18.50 matines.

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