Life Of Riley, Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, until March 19 (From The Argus)

Life Of Riley, Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, until March 19

12:37pm Wednesday 16th March 2011 in Stage Reviews By Catherine Meek

With a repertoire of 74 plays and a host of stage hits tucked safely under his belt, playwright Alan Ayckbourn needs little introduction.

Aficionados of his own brand of middle-class suburban, tragi-comedy-cum-farce will recognise hallmark ingredients of previous plays such as Seasons Greetings, Communicating Doors and The Norman Conquests in this jolly performance.

Under the spotlight, three couples are shown up for secrets and truths they hide from one another. However, they each reveal a marital crisis fitting of the stereotypes they represent.

Unspoken but nevertheless hauntingly omnipresent obstacles to the mutual trust of each couple is cleverly emphasised by a focus on the amateur dramatics rehearsals they all attend.

The bumbling Colin is often unsure whether shrew Kathryn is rehearsing lines or speaking to him while the disloyal, cheating Jack confuses his wife Tamsin’s ardour for her stage partner with real life amour. Monica doesn’t seem able – if willing – to persuade Simeon of her commitment to him as long as the illustrious George is convincingly present.

In fact, notwithstanding his titular role central to the plot, we never meet him in person.

Ayckbourn fans will settle into this play with confidence, but it is less racy than might be expected; theatregoers who aren’t primed might be less forgiving of what is essentially a gentle plod through to an abrupt halt at a rather unlikely twist of an ending.

Superb performances make this a winning play after all – Laura Doddington, Liza Goddard and Kim Wall do not disappoint.