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Alan Ayckbourn’s Show and Tell, his 90th play, is a multi-layered, ‘spritely’ comedy that balances his signature wit with themes of age and relationships, and characters so relatable, they feel like old friends. Directed by Ayckbourn himself, it’s been self-described as a ‘love letter to theatre’, and sees him maintain his reputation as one of the greatest storytellers of a generation.
At the heart of Show and Tell is Jack Bothridge (Bill Champion), a retired department store managing director whose mind is beginning to slip. He’s booked a theatre company to perform for his wife’s birthday, but his increasingly foggy memory leaves key details of the booking uncertain. Bill delivers a poignant and highly amusing performance that will pull at the heartstrings of anyone who has experienced loved ones living with dementia, while the Fawlty Towers-esque back and forth elicits chuckles from the audience, particularly when he mistakes actor Peter Reeder for the ‘meter reader’ – an easy mistake, of course.
Paul Kemp, as Jack’s former colleague Ben Wilkes, contrasts sharply to his forgetful friend. Now acting as his carer, Ben has the difficult job of explaining to the theatre company why the party may not be feasible after all, providing much-needed context to their dynamic, and indeed, the absence of Jack’s wife, Alice. But Frances Marshall as the fiercely practical Harriet “Harry” Golding manages to hatch a plan for the event to go ahead – guests or no guests.
And so, the second half of the show sees the Homelight Theatre Company setting up in Jack’s front hall ready to perform A Friend Indeed – a French Farce about an illicit affair. Throughout, Frances injects much of the play’s urgency with a similar sense of grit and determination as Kerry Godliman in Derek as she works to salvage a seemingly doomed situation. Her comedic timing is superb, as is that of her fellow actors Peter Reeder (Richard Stacey) and Steph Tate (Olivia Woolhouse).
In frustration at the lack of audience – though the irony of the fourth wall is not lost – Richard Stacey’s Peter rants about the fundamentals of theatre being reliant on a connection between both actors and audience, which, while hilarious, was fuelled by an unwavering passion for the craft – a mouthpiece for Ayckbourn’s devotion to the arts and the importance of live performance.
As the play-within-a-play commences Olivia Woolhouse, in her professional debut, transforms from bored adolescent to vibrant maid – both equally as humorous in their dialogue. And you can’t help but adore Ben’s larger-than-life French role after the former actor-turned-tailoring-salesman stepped in at the last minute, putting his all into the portrayal of his wealthy, rather flamboyant character.
Show and Tell is often laugh-out-loud funny, but there’s an undeniable warmth to it that reflects his affection for Alan’s vocation. Beneath the comedic surface are some emotional themes on ageing and loss, but Jack’s dementia is never played purely for laughs, beautifully striking a balance between the light and the dark. The play is a fitting tribute to Ayckbourn’s prolific career, and a highly entertaining addition to his vast body of work. Running until Saturday, October 26, you can buy tickets to see Show and Tell at the New Vic here.