In the uncomfortably familiar setting of Middle England's three-piece-suite suburbia, sit a trio of well-acquainted strangers. They are mum, son and soon-to-be-daughter-in-law, discussing the strategic planning for the wedding ceremony, days away. All except bridegroom Sam (Harry Mcqueen) - ever-so-distant, wafer-like, slumped in an armchair, towering over his mobile phone. Like most bridegrooms, Sam has removed his attention from the napkin-folding discussion by distraction - he couldn't seem more uninterested if he tried. He's clearly looking for something else, and calls on the past to find it, unleashing an abundance of closeted skeletons.

The first to walk through the door is Sam's Aunty Lydia (Helen Worsley). It is very clear that Millicent (Kath Perry) - Sam's devout Christian mother - isn't thrilled by the surprise arrival of her vodka-swilling sister. Nor by the closely-followed arrival of her blasphemous nephew Justin (Dan Tawse), self-confessed 'big gay poof'. Whilst it is plain to Millicent that the estranged family members have been sent from hell to condemn the holy wedding, bride-to-be Sylvia (Jennifer Healy) wonders why Sam has invited the pride to town. Justin, known as 'Sexy' to his mother has his own theory as to why his cousin has invited them. Slowly, the past is revealed, helped by best man Martin (Russ Bain). Humdrum Middle England and its morals become a place of lies and deception in one man's pursuit of his own truth. All the characters trying to escape from their pasts are made to face what they've been running away from.

Estranged questions how well people know those closest to them. There are some very poetic moments in the writing, but other parts of the script are not so good. Aspects of the writing feel irritating: at the start the characters call each other by abbreviated names: Cuz, Sis - slightly patronising to people's intelligence in being able to work out the relationships. The story is potentially interesting, but the writing doesn't encourage relating to the characters - so that when caring about the characters is needed at the climax, it's easy not to. There are so many ideas in the play - each character has his or her present facade, contradicted by their pasts. There's a lot going on, and to do it justice would need a very long play. As it is, the script stays near the surface, with a constant glossing over of the characters' possible depth. The result, at two hours, is that it all seems very shallow. This makes it boring. And the pace is incredibly slow - part of this may be due to the direction. The overall feel is a collection of two-dimensional lives, scratching the surface of what could potentially be something quite interesting.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Russ Bain - Martin. Jennifer Healy - Sylvia. Harry Mcqueen - Sam. Kath Perry - Millicent. Dan Tawse - Justin. Helen Worsley - Lydia.

Company Credits: Writer - Jason Charles. Director - Chris George. Lighting Designer - Chris Withers. Sound Designer - Colin Hunter. Set Designer - Harry Scott. Costume Designer - Harry Scott. Technical Operator - uncredited. Stage Manager - Olivia Rowe. Assistant Director - Zee Faloon. Assistant Stage Manager - Dan Cloake. Set Design and Costume Assistant - Esther Nissard. Production Assistant - Victoria Sandars. Production Assistant - Dana Holden. Promotional Photographer - Kara Gowlett. Programme Design - M Gonta. Executive Producer - Barry Sejent. Company - JC Theatre Productions in association with The Courtyard Theatre.

END

(c) Jenny Glithero 2009

reviewed Tuesday 21 April 09 / The Courtyard Theatre, London UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com