Players cut to the chase in slick suburban farce

Boundary Players: Two and Two Make Sex, at the William Penney Theatre, Tadley from Wednesday, October 26, to Saturday, October 29

Fathers and father-figures, a stale marriage, a 'bit on the side', a bullish boyfriend, and an agony aunt friend who gave dubious advice – they were all there in this entertaining comedy of suburban life in the near-distant past, entertainingly brought to life by Boundary Players.

It's a while since I attended a production by this company and I was most impressed by the standards achieved. The acting was of a high quality and apart from the pace being a little slow to start (as is often the case, both in the writing and the delivery in setting the plot in a play of this sort), by the second act the delivery was excellent, providing well-rehearsed and slick comedy, enthusiastically received by the receptive audience.

In short, George was trying to combat his mid-life crisis. He began jogging in a ridiculous bright yellow tracksuit, going away on 'business trips' and calling his wife at least six times a day to tell her numerous lies about why he wouldn't make it home, all so he could spend time with a pretty young girl called Jane, delightfully and skilfully played by Emily Browne, who had her own problems to contend with, living with her workshy dreamer of a boyfriend Nick.

Alan Munday brought great humour to the role of hapless George and Louise Hayling gave an accomplished performance as his exasperated wife Clare, who was highly suspicious of her husband. Pat Archer supported admirably as Ruth the Agony Aunt, and Andrew Smith was excellent as the procrastinating Nick, whose hobbies and career goals changed on a daily basis.

The situation came to a head with the appearance of Mr Bowers, George's best friend and rugby-watching chum (and Jane's dad), very amusingly and well-played by Mike Huxtable. It was at this point that the characters realised just how closely connected they all were and their various fabrications quickly began to unravel, providing the best laughs of the evening.

With a stunning split set, excellent light and sound and smooth and slick delivery, director David White must be congratulated on a highly enjoyable production.

TREVOR DOBSON