Absent Friends – Oldham Coliseum Theatre

Writer: Alan Ayckbourn

Director: Nikolai Foster

Reviewer: Ruth Lovett

The Public Reviews Rating:

Absent Friends takes place one ordinary afternoon in 1974 when a group of friends get together for tea to catch up with an old friend who has returned to the area having left three years previously and having recently lost his fiancée who drowned.

The play takes place in real time and from the beginning of Act One it is clear there are tensions between the group as Diana (Kerry Peers) shows a strong dislike for the newest member of the group, Evelyn (Poppy Tierney) who is married to John (Dominic Gateley). Diana is an average, cheery middle-aged woman who takes great pride in her abilities as a mother, housewife and homemaker who has decided to invite Colin (David Crellin) round to console him. Despite having memories of good times had in the past, it quickly becomes apparent that the rest of the guests, John, Evelyn and Paul (Steven Pinder); Diana’s husband were not that keen on Colin and are reluctant guests at the gathering. Only Marge (Samantha Giles) supports Diana although Marge is meek and a bit of a doormat who dotes on her husband, Gordon, who we never see but is mentioned frequently and is a source of amusement for the rest of guests.

Much of Act One focuses on the group preparing for Colin’s arrival and discussions about what to say to man whose fiancée has drowned. John reveals he is uncomfortable discussing death and proceeds to provide much amusement for the audience with a serious of nervous ticks and boundless energy, much to exasperation of his friends.

As the play unfolds, it becomes apparent that Diana and Paul’s marriage is an unhappy one with both partners resenting each other. John may have a young and attractive wife however he and Evelyn barely speak and are not as well suited as they first appear. Marge has become more of a mother to Gordon than a wife, as his constant telephone calls prove he is unwilling to manage without her at home.

When Colin arrives, it is evident that he is the most balanced and content person in the room. Although having recently suffered a tragic loss, he is able and willing to discuss it with his old friends and point out how happy everyone ‘should’ be and what nice lives they have. Unfortunately this backfires and only seeks to deepen the cracks in everyone’s relationships, most immediately, between Diana and Paul with Diana breaking and down, sobbing and ranting uncontrollably much to everyone’s discomfort.

By the time Colin leaves the party, the group are in meltdown having being forced to admit that beneath the surface, their lives are not are as pleasant as they seem.

Although set in 1970’s Britain, the strength of the writing shines through as the content does not feel in anyway dated and the revelations throughout the piece still resonate today. The play has several wittymoments and cutting comments that amuse the audience there are also several uncomfortable moments of tension that have the audience shifting around uncomfortably, notably Diana’s breakdown which is laced with pathos and her performance is by far the most prolific.

The set is to be commended as a great replica of a 1970’s sitting room with extrovert wallpaper and a variety of chintz and knick-knacks.

This is one of Ayckbourn’s finest pieces and can be enjoyed by everyone and is a great example of good strong classic British drama. The piece has a very realistic feel and does not end with an artificial happy ever after but is thought provoking and entertaining.