Review: Table Manners
Alan Ayckbourn’s Table Manners is a beautifully written and very funny piece and the latest production of this play at the New Wolsey Theatre certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Annie is planning a weekend away and so her brother Reg and his neurotic wife Sarah arrive to look after their aging mother whilst their sister is away.
However, before she has a chance to leave a conversation with Sarah reveals that Annie is actually planning a dirty weekend away with Norman, the husband of their other sister Ruth.
Sarah immediately puts a stop to proceedings and summons career minded Ruth to join them at mother’s house. Add into the mix Tom, the local vet, who has feelings for Annie but is too afraid to tell her, too much alcohol and a lack of food and the weekend soon turns in to mayhem…
Table Manners is comical from the off, Lucy-Jane Quinlan makes for the perfect Annie, and yes that jumper has seen better days… And, Joanna Simpkins is fabulous as Sarah. The pair start proceedings and from the first five minutes you know that this production is going to be good.
Enter Pete Ashmore as Reg and is brilliant comic timing and timid vet Tom played by Toby Manley, will he ever get together with Annie? Manley is great to watch and the dinner scene is particularly funny, we’ve all had those family dinners when the chairs don’t all quite match…
Ross Waiton portrayal of playboy Norman is Fabulous, the one liners from him are just wonderful. And Polly Smith as his wife Ruth is the perfect casting and the rapport between the couple is brilliant.
This production is brought to life by a cast of very talented actors and the audience loved it.
Secrets are exposed, truths are told and arguments are had but at the end of the day their family…
Table Manners is at the New Wolsey Theatre until Saturday 28th September. You can book tickets now by visiting www.wolseytheatre.co.uk or calling the Box Office on 01473 295900.
Review: Wendy Cook, Ipswich24 Magazine