Laughing at love

With over 73 full-length plays under his scriptwriting belt, Alan Ayckbourn is easily one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights. So, as the Malta Amateur Dramatics Club approaches its centenary year (2010), it seemed only fitting to pay homage to such a prolific writer, who has no doubt coloured the theatre in a myriad of different ways since he first immersed himself in it in the 1950s.

How the Other Half Loves, a two-act comedy, has often played to rave reviews. The story itself presents the lives and loves, passions and panics of three married couples and all their daily ups, downs and in-betweens. Like all of Ayckbourn’s comedies, its underlying theme focuses on the interaction of sex and class in modern English society, creating a plethora of hilarious scenarios and conversations in the process.

“The play, directed by Joe Pace, revolves around couples occupying the same space within different timeframes, all related through their husbands’ jobs,” explains actor David Ellul Mercer, who has taken on the role of Bob.

“Frank and Fiona (played by Joe Pace and Jane Pillow) appear outwardly as the perfect couple – they are social climbers par excellance, who throw exquisite dinner parties. Meanwhile, Bob and Terry (the latter role is played by Sharon Attard) make up the “carefree slob” contingent, with a dysfunctional relationship to rival even the most maladjusted pair out there. Finally, there’s William and Mary (played by Josef ‘Żep’ Micallef and Marie-Claire Pellegrini), these two are the classic man and mouse as William strives to climb the career ladder while frumpy Mary watches on.”

The show has that classic Brit-comedy feel to it, with the ensuing action leading to a string of misunderstandings and almost farcical events that invariably result in hilarious consequences.

“For instance, when Bob tells his wife about the fact that his colleague’s wife is having an affair, Fiona decides to help out by inviting them over for dinner,” continues Mr Ellul Mercer. “The result is an intricate concoction of misunderstandings, mainly due to the mentally-absent nature of the boss, which leads to a disastrous dinner party, a physical assault and general chaos, until the truth finally surfaces in the end.”

Audiences should expect plenty of laughs from the witty and sarcastic script, as well as the comic talents of the six actors.

“It’s a brilliant mixture of different types of comedy,” explains actress Mrs Pillow, who is currently invoking her inner perfectionist to play Fiona. “The dialogue is the main source of the humour, with witty one-liners and typically British sarcasm. But there is also a physical side to the comedy, particularly in the staging of the dinner parties and the fights that ensue. It is Alan Ayckbourn at his best!”

But as with all good comedies, the humour also resonates in the serious issues tackled.

“There are definite lessons to be learnt here,” she continues, “such as the importance of communication in a marriage, which is an issue raised through the countless misunderstandings and goings on. None of the couples would be in half the mess they are in if they only talked to one another! It’s also evident how they all talk at their partner instead of to them; their responses are so automatic that it highlights the mundane routine they have found themselves in. It’s quite an eye-opener!

“This play is so enjoyable on all kinds of levels, and I don’t think I have ever come across anything like it in the past. I am sure audiences will love every minute of it.”

How the Other Half Loves is being held at the MADC Playhouse in Sta Venera on May 22-24. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets may be obtained online: www.madc.biz or at the door before the performance.