My Wonderful Day – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Writer/Director: Alan Ayckbourn

Reviewer: Ann Bawtree

The Public Reviews Rating:

This latest production of the highly acclaimed Stephen Joseph Theatre, based in Scarborough, is now touring the south of England. It would be easy to believe that it was written entirely as a vehicle for young Ayesha Antoine, the undoubted star of the show. Reading her rehearsal blog it is apparent that she cannot actually be nine years old but she is certainly convincing in the role.

The play is based on the author’s childhood experience of being the unconsidered presence in a roomful of adults. We observe the mystifying grown up world through young Winnie’s eyes and ears, not only mentally but in this case literally recorded for posterity.

She sees the tall, over self-confident Kevin (Terence Booth) leading his double life with the cute Tiffany (Ruth Gibson) aided and abetted by his dissolute friend Josh (Paul Kemp) and finally getting his come- uppance from his powerful career girl wife Paula (Alexandra Mathie). All the while she obeys to the letter her affectionate and extremely pregnant mother Laverne (Petra Letang) taking to heart her instructions to “get on with her essay” with the play’s title.

In a straight play there never seems much for the sound designer (Ben Vickers) to do but it must be satisfying for him to receive one of the biggest laughs of the evening.

The lighting design of (Mick Hughes) however plays a vital part on this set, leading us around the apartment. From the minimalist sitting room with its precious sofa, carefully built too big so that Winnie’s legs stick out when she sits on it and its star patterned carpet, we walk along corridors of diamond shaped flooring to the spot lit corners of kitchen and office.

The costumes of Jennie Boyer add greatly to the immediate explanation of the characters. They range from Tiffany’s unsuitable office attire of tight pink satin blouse and miniscule skirt to Winnie’s woolly gloves tiedtogether with the traditional string passing through the sleeves of her school uniform coat.

Although the conversations are frequently punctuated with necessary pregnant pauses for the silent reactions of the child’s mind the play sometimes seems to drag a little on occasion. As it is one and three quarter hours long with no interval it pays to get really comfortable in one’s seat at the outset. An unusual view of a commonplace situation it presents an amusing night out and an opportunity to see a young actress at the start of what is a promising future.