REVIEW | House and Garden. Crescent Theatre Birmingham

Written by Charis

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for a honest review.

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House and Garden created by Alan Ayckbourn possesses a unique and interesting concept, there are two separate plays with the same cast playing at the same time. When the characters are not on the ‘house’ stage they are on the ‘garden’ stage and vice versa. I found it to be a unique and intriguing concept. However, I must state that to fully understand the piece I would see both halves of the piece as I only viewed House I was quite confused at stages.  I understand that House is the more dramatic of the two and Garden possesses more humour. 

House shows the viewer the life of the upper class British home and all the issues that accompany it.  Glass and China are thrown by the housekeeper Pearl and extramarital affairs are engaged in by Teddy Platt. Sally Platt is a 17 year old girl who believes she is older than she is due to her tastes.  Trish Platt is the traditional upper class housewife who decides she has experienced enough.  Giles Mace is the dear in headlights husband who does not realise what is occurring in front of him.  Jake Mace is the young lad in puppy love chasing after Sally. Gavin Rying-Mayne is a cold and emotionless politician. Lucille Cadeau is a typical view of a film star. 

The humour found within the piece is certainly mature, with adult jokes and swearing rife. The adult audience laughed at every joke and the chaos could even remind some of their own home. The characters seem to be brash to make decisions and several of them do not have any regard for others.  The main running joke is fairly funny, to begin with, but then does become a bit expected after a while.  The humour also becomes a bit more ridiculous than funny at parts. 

While the concept was interesting and superbly acted by the cast, I felt that the production ended suddenly. The end of the piece did not feel like the end at all. It felt like something that was a mild point throughout the piece was sped up at the end to no gain.  Other stories throughout the piece were executed well, however. 

While all the characters were acted superbly, I would like to play particular notice to Lola Hill (Sally Platt), David Baldwin (Teddy Platt), Rose Pardo Roques (Trish Platt) and James David Knapp (Gavin Ryng-Mayne). These four actors perfectly embodied their characters and acted superbly together.

Overall while House and Garden is certainly no masterpiece, if you are looking for a couple of hours of adult humour, superb acting and disfunction I would suggest going to watch House and Garden.  The theatre piece could certainly do with some refining but if you want to watch a piece of pure, simple British comedy you will have a good time. 

House and Garden can be viewed at the Cresent Theatre in Birmingham until 10th February.

☆ ☆ ☆