Time
of My Life
by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Paul Davies
Alan
Ayckbourn has been described in many ways: as the natural successor
to Noël Coward; Scarborough's lbsen; the best comic dramatist since
Moliere; and even as our finest feminist writer. What is certain is
that Ayckbourn is one of Britain's best loved and prolific playwrights,
translated into forty languages and performed in virtually every continent
of the globe. He is a master of comic timing, visual theatre, awesome
characterisation and painful circumstance. He is a constant theatrical
innovator and a writer whose trademark is increasingly the ability to
tread a delicate tightrope between humour and despair.
Time
Of My Life is vintage Ayckbourn, dealing with the all-too-familiar
theme of the decline and fall of a successful family business and the
ensuing financial and emotional troubles this brings. It is Laura Stratton's
fifty-fourth birthday and a small family celebration has been organised
by her husband Gerry at their favourite restaurant. All seems quiet
on the domestic front. However, in Ayckbourn country wherever two or
three are gathered together in the name of family togetherness... then
the trouble begins...
"that
was probably one of the best, the happiest moments of our lives. Only
the trouble with those sorts of moments is that you seldom ever realise
what they are - until they've gone... I mean very rarely do you find
yourself saying to yourself, I am happy now. Sometimes you say, I was
happy then. Or sometimes even, I will be happy when... But rarely do
you get to realise it now. If you know what I mean..."
Time
Of My Life presents a deftly comic picture of the excruciating tensions
and fractures underlying most social get-togethers and the tissue-like
fragility of family fortune and personal happiness.
Time
of My Life opened at the Swansea Grand Theatre on 16 September 1998
and toured throughout Wales and elsewhere for nine weeks. The show won
a Barclays Stage Partners award.
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"a
superb production" Cardiff Post
