ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR

Well-directed cast give excellent individual performances in Ayckbourn comedy. (Review by Caroline Smart)

If you want to see six fine professional actors and actresses in the making, then waste no time in getting to Durban Girls College to catch Absurd Person Singular by contemporary British playwright Alan Ayckbourn which has a short season in the Lecture Theatre.

To succeed the way he wrote it, Ayckbourn’s work requires a level of maturity and sophistication otherwise it can tip into melodrama. Director Wendy Watson, with Colin Chapman in the Associate Director’s chair, has created a tightly knit production and drawn excellent performances from this youthful cast made up of students in their final year at Durban Girls’ College or Durban High School.

The backstage team is also made up of students from both schools and the same professionalism is evident here – the first scene change is executed in the semi-darkness between acts but, if you stay behind in the auditorium at interval, you’ll be able to watch them in action.

The story is set in the kitchen areas of three couples – the Hopcrofts, the Jacksons and the Brewster-Wrights - so this is a complicated production from a technical point of view. Greg King has created a very effective set design which portrays the three areas - each reflecting the owners’ taste and financial standing and each skilfully transforming into the next. There is much attention to detail even down to the “Must Do” lists in the first set – one for the husband and one for the wife!

The Absurd Person Singular cast is well-chosen and, because it is very evident that the performers clearly understand all aspects of their characters, each role is a cameo. Comedy – and especially farce – can’t work unless it’s played seriously. Situations which may appear hilarious to the audience are often anything but to the characters in the story. It’s all credit to the actors in that while they picked up their cues quickly, they also waited for the laughs, held the pauses correctly and were consistent in their interaction as married couples, despite the fact that they’re all aged around 17.

Kenlynn Sutherland and Stephanie Walker have ensured that the “look” is believable and the costumes are effective and suit the personalities.

Sam Pennington is highly amusing as the self-important Sidney Hopcroft and Mweya Waetjen is a delight as his timorous and ditsy spouse who has a passion for cleaning things.

Johann Potgieter and Julie Dancaster come into their own in the third act. Johann displays a strong command of deadpan comedy timing – mind you, he does have some of the best lines in the show! Julie was very well-controlled as his elegant but inebriated wife, a role that could easily become caricatured.

David Prinsloo’s height, good voice projection and stage presence are perfectly suited for the suave womanising Geoffrey Jackson and Giah Cloete as his wife was at her best in the second act when (without saying a word) she decides to end it all but everyone and everything gets in the way, to hilarious effect!

Absurd Person Singular runs in the Lecture Theatre at Durban Girls’ College until March 20 nightly at 18h30. More information and bookings on 031 268 7206 or fax 031 209 5193. – Caroline Smart