21 Sep 2023
Deborah Heath heads back to the 1990s for the Company of Ten’s latest production at the Abbey Theatre…
The Abbey Theatre 2023/24 season kicks off with a dark comedy from the pen of national treasure Michael Palin and if that wasn’t a big enough draw, let me tell you that it features a real dog!
As usual the Company of Ten set design was outstanding. Gill Owen’s attention to detail meant that the mood was set as soon as the audience entered, from the carpet, to the colour schemes and light fittings.
It was exactly as I remember lounges of middle-aged people looking in 1991 and this was important because our protagonist Stephen Febble is just that.
Bewildered by the way the world is changing around him, including why everyone now has allergies, he has settled into an expected persona of a grumpy old man. I was not surprised to learn that Richard Wilson of ‘One Foot in the Grave’ originally took this role.
However, CoT’s Rory Byrne made the role his own, skilfully presenting the cantankerous Stephen with the right touch of humour. He was onstage for almost the whole two hours and was line perfect.
Alongside him, with almost as many lines equally well recalled, Cassandra Fothergill played tolerant wife Virginia with great sensitivity. She immediately got the audience on side and kept them there throughout. We could see her frustration being stuck with a husband she no longer respected for the sake of keeping a happy home.
Again, the brilliance of the set, lighting and prop design came into play because it really gave a sense of being Virginia’s home, not just a house. For here is a woman for whom family is everything – these weekend visits from her daughter’s family and dinner parties with local friends are what keep her going.
Director Sally Davis had clearly helped her actors to identify the driving forces of the characters and ensured that the development of the story was well-paced.
With a large cast I sadly cannot mention everyone in detail. However, I will say that the level of talent in this company was superb and their teamwork clearly strong.
A particular mention for teenager Lily Bachelor who gave a confident performance of intelligent granddaughter Charlotte, always challenging her grandfather’s ideals.
I was also delighted with the depth and humour in Keith MacDougall’s portrayal of nerdy son-in-law Alan. In fact, for me, his was the most interesting (although not integral) character in the play and had it fallen to less experienced hands things could have felt a bit flat. John Pyke as Stephen’s only friend Duff was extremely likeable and believable and his wife Bridget was played by Katy Lewis with great comic talent. Susie Evershed, Kevin Broadfoot and Amy Wedgewood too did a great job of realising their characters.
Jet the dog, at a mere three years of age, played ageing, incontinent and female dog Pippa with great aplomb. You would never have known it was his debut play and I hope he goes on to have a glittering career.
I cannot fault Company of Ten’s production of this play. However, despite being a huge fan of Michael Palin, I did feel a bit disappointed with the script itself in the first act which felt a little like a 1970s family sitcom.
Now, although I didn’t rock with laughter as much as the rest of the auditorium, I realise I might not have been of the correct age group to identify with Stephen and Virginia’s plight.
This is a funny play and I am pleased to say the second act was a very different kettle of fish, providing some surprising turns and character development. For this reason and the talent of the cast and crew, not to mention the draw of Jet the dog, I would recommend seeing this show for a fun night out with a twist.
