Christopher Gray enjoys an revival of Alan Ayckbourn's 'Absurd Person Singular'

With Christmas safely out of the way for another year — though bling-bedecked houses are still to be seen on the drive to Sonning — it seems a bit odd to be reminded of Santa and sleighbells in the Mill’s hugely entertaining revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular.

Set in 1972, a period nicely caught in the costumes (Jane Kidd) and design (Michael Holt), the play shows us disastrous festive celebrations over three consecutive years in three very different homes.

The common theme in each case is that our focus is on the kitchen, with the party going on out of view. Guests there include, in the much-discussed shape (literally) of the dreadful Dick and Lottie Potter, early examples of the unseen characters that became a staple of Ayckbourn’s work.

In the first playlet, which is what the three acts really are, we find oik-on-the-make Sidney (Harry Gostelow) and his bullied, timid, ludicrously houseproud wife Jane (superb Catherine Skinner) preparing to make a daring ascent up the social ladder by hosting a festive cocktail party. Guests are to include bank manager Ronald, played by the hugely experienced Ayckbournian John Arthur, and his equally upper-crust, very boozy wife Marion (Louise Jameson), and a womanising architect Geoffrey (Ian Targett) and his unhappy, pill-popping spouse Eva (Emma Davies).

Calamitous as this event is, it scarcely compares in horror (and comedy) with the party of the year following which we experience in the shambolic kitchen chez Geoffrey and his by-now catatonic and suicidal wife.

Hilariously mistaking Eva’s gas-oven suicide attempt for a (very necessary) pre-turkey cleaning, Jane dons the Marigolds and busies herself at the task, while Sidney tackles a blocked sink with messy consequences for himself.

While this is the funniest of the three acts, the last section of play, in the home of the bank manager, benefits hugely from the beautifully observed drunk turn from Ms Jameson’s Marion.

Directed with a sure hand by Tom Littler, who first showed his skills in Oxford student theatre, this is a fine account of a stage classic.

Absurd Person Singular
Mill at Sonning
Until March 15
Box office: 0118 969 8000, millatsonning.com