REVIEW: West Dean Gardens perfect setting for classic comedy

Alan Ayckbourn’s classic comedy of misplaced lust and miscommunication is brought beautifully to life in yet another fine year for New Theatre Productions, consistently one of the greatest assets on our arts scene.

Round And Round The Garden is an inspired choice for performances set in one of our most beautiful gardens, looking particularly superb this year. Over one moderately disastrous weekend six people in various and unlikely permutations bounce into each other and off each other as Ayckbourn wittily and wisely explores the ways emotion and common sense so often part company. At the centre of it all is Norman, beautifully played by Roger Booth, drunkenly amorous and amiably appalling at pretty much every turn. Just about holding it together is a lovely second half appearance from his supremely indulgent and sorely tried wife Ruth (Clare Burt). Hostess for the evening and seeking a bit of respite from her maternal care duties is Annie, excellent from Lisa Page-Berelian – a sweet and naive character who doesn’t know quite what she wants. Will she fall victim to Norman’s lustful ambitions? Or will Tom the vet (Jason Burt) seize his chance, an endearing but hopeless character who misconstrues every human clue and concludes he would have been better off born as a horse. Excellent too from Dennis Harrison as Reg and Jane Blackford as Sarah.

Some of the dialogue, particularly when it comes to ‘beating up’ your partner, sits horribly now but otherwise Ayckbourn as ever lays bare our naughty intentions and amorous hesitations with precision and skill. The company tonight responded classily and persuasively. Very nicely directed by Richard Kinder.

Alternating with the Ayckbourn is The Drunkard Or Down With Demon Drink!, a rollicking Victorian musical melodrama, July 2, 4, 8, 10 & 12.