The revival of Alan Ayckbourn's 1974 comedy Confusions benefits from the superb direction of the much acclaimed writer himself and a talented cast of five who take on 20 roles.
Perfect timing ensures a master class of comic acting in the first four of five playlets.
Unfortunately, the final sketch's contrived scenario, involving five annoyingly talkative, boring strangers on park benches, provides a disappointing conclusion.
A better finale would have been the farcical fête in which the tea lady blurts out to the organiser that he has made her pregnant – unaware her words are being broadcast on the loudspeaker.
Ayckbourn shows empathy for unappreciated women - from a dedicated mother, who treats the married couple next door as young children, to a wife driven to having an affair with her husband's boss.
Elizabeth Boag is excellent as the bossy mother, but Stephen Billington steals the limelight with his clever portrayal of the waiter in the restaurant sketch.
In serving two married couples blurting out either accusations or confessions, he has to make his interruptions look entirely natural.
Russell Dixon, Emma Manton and Richard Stacey add greatly to the fun and pathos in Ayckbourn's poignant observations of human behaviour.
*Confusions is being performed in rep with Ayckbourn’s latest play Hero’s Welcome.
Four stars
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