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Summer 2009 Production

Absent Friends

By Alan Ayckbourn and Directed by Dean Laccohee

Commemoration Hall, 16-18 July, 7.30 pm

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Cast

Synopsis of the play

This play is set in real time in the lounge of Diana and Paul’s house.

Diana has organised a tea party for Colin, an old friend of her husband Paul. Colin’s fiancé has recently drowned and the aim is to cheer him up with a gathering of old friends Paul, John and Gordon.

Gordon is, typically, ill and his wife Marge turns up instead, while Paul and John are less than enthusiastic about the party.

All this hides deep problems: Paul has had a brief affair with John’s wife Evelyn – who has brought her baby to the party and is dismissive of Paul’s love-making; Marge is desperate for a child of her own and has transferred her maternal instincts on to an increasingly dependent and accident-prone Gordon; Diana is desperately unhappy, misses her children who are at boarding school and is bullied by Paul – who she suspects of having a major affair with Evelyn; John is aware of Evelyn’s affair, but is dependent on Paul for employment. Both John and Paul are so uncomfortable with the idea of meeting Colin that they play down their friendship to the point of almost non-existence.

The majority of this emerges before Colin has even arrived and just as matters threaten to erupt, the man himself turns up and everyone awkwardly tries to both be nice to him and to get on with each other.

But all have seriously misjudged Colin, who is seriously happy. He is blissful in the memory of the time he spent with his fiancé; annoyingly happy in fact. His apparent satisfaction with his life, despite his loss, merely highlights the depths to which all those around have sunk and his attempts to sort out their problems merely creates further rifts in the already damaged relationships of the other couples.

Colin is largely oblivious to everything deteriorating around him and finally recalls that Paul once secretly took one of Diana’s handkerchiefs, when they were first in love. Paul reveals he still has it… and uses it to clean the car. Diana, practically at the edge anyway, snaps and pours a jug of cream over him before breaking down in front of everyone, recalling how she longed to be a Canadian Mountie when young. She is sedated and Colin departs, secure in his own memories – leaving all the others isolated and alone. 

Staging

There is one set which remains for the duration of the play. The set can be as simple or as detailed as resources allow. There is no changing of scenery as the play takes place in “real time” with the second act following straight on from the first. Though the play was originally performed in the mid-1970s, I would set it in the present day so furnishings would be modern, as would costume which could be provided by the cast.

Why “Absent Friends”?

Alan Ayckbourn’s plays have a big draw as far as audience is concerned and are great plays for actors. This is one of his earlier works and has a nice blend of comedy and pathos. It has a manageable cast of 6 which I think is important for this particular slot when many people may be involved with Shakespeare At The George. It is an uncomplicated play in terms of staging and production which I think is key for the same reasons. I really enjoyed the play on first reading and I think it has great potential to be a successful production.  

Huntingdon Drama Club