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Time Of My Life
by Alan Ayckbourn
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Time of My Life belongs to that genre of plays aptly labeled “Time” plays, though as Alan Ayckbourn himself pointed out in the programme of the original production, “nearly all plays make use of time as a device to some degree or other”.
But here he is definitely tipping his hat to J B Priestley, and using time in a way that gives an extra dimension to this rather dark comedy.
The scene is the birthday party of Laura Stratton at her favourite restaurant. Present are Gerry and Lara Stratton and their sons Glyn and Adam with, respectively, their wife and new girl friend. As the play unfolds, so their relationships, past present and future, unfold and unravel. It proves gripping, funny and sad stuff or, as one of the more serious theatre critics at the time said, “its funny, funny and not funny-quintessential Ayckbourn.”
John Colmans and Ashley Collins, old friends and favourites on our stage play Gerry and Laura. Emma Solomons leaves her choreographic persona to play Stephanie, the put-upon frustrated wife of Glynn, while Catherine Lemmon, such an enjoyable Eliza in Pygmalion, plays Adam’s startling hairdresser girlfriend. Nick Hastings makes a welcome return to the GST as Glynn, and Edward Smith plays Adam. Geoff Prutton will also put in an occasional appearance! A great play and cast to help you say goodbye to winter and hallo to spring and summer.