How the other half laughed
The Torch Theatre Company welcomed a full house on 8th October with an outstanding debut
performance of Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘How the Other Half Loves’.
The hysterically funny and heart-wrenchingly moving play enjoyed the second longest continuous
run of any Ayckbourn play in London’s West End. The Torch Theatre have put on 19 of Ayckbourn’s
plays in its 38 year history, including The Norman Conquests, Bedroom Farce and Intimate
Exchanges.
How the other half loves tells the story of 3 married couples whose lives become hopelessly
intertwined leading to hilarious results. Frank is married to Fiona, Bob to Teresa and William to
Mary. Bob and Fiona are having an affair. While Teresa suspects her husband’s infidelity, Frank is
oblivious. Bob and Fiona use boring couple William and Mary Featherstone as their alibi, believing
their lies will be safe. Crossed wires, suspicions and arguments ensue posing the question do we all
worry how the other half loves?
Artistic Director, Peter Doran executes the story with the flair and attention to detail we have come
to expect. The actors move around the stage effortlessly, entertaining the audience throughout. At
one point the audience were in fits of laughter. Moments later, hooked by an explosive argument.
The innovative use of space and time, for which Ayckbourn is known, works wonderfully under
Doran’s direction. The set, (by Sean Crowley) the interior of a 1970’s house, is occupied by 2 couples
simultaneously. The elegance of Fiona (Laura Penneycard) as she tends to her husband Frank, in a
floor skimming dress contrasts with the tense scene at the Phillips house. Teresa questions Rob’s
whereabouts, aggression straining her voice, breaking off to frantically check on their son. As the
characters pause to consider their surroundings, they seem to react to each other, although in
reality they occupy a different living space altogether.
Simon Stanhope is hilarious as Frank, first seen in jogging gear, puffing uncontrollably. He is terrible
at Diy, forgetful and incredibly naïve. This leads to the inevitable: he gets the wrong end of the stick,
leading to hysterical but potentially fatal consequences for the Featherstones.
Joanna Simpkins is excellent as Teresa; refusing to be submissive, fighting for her family and
determined to be a good host. Simpkins and Mansfield (who plays detached husband Bob) have
great chemistry as the couple who drive each other crazy.
Newcomers, Rhys Warrington and Francesca Goodridge are comic genius as innocent victims William
and Mary. Mary worries at her lack of social skills, while William flexes his knees and whistles
nervously. Their relationship is endearing and at times humorous, with William correcting Mary by
tapping her hand like a child and answering questions addressed to his wife.
The stage set up allows for 2 dinner scenes to take place simultaneously. The guest swivel back and
forward between Fiona’s Avocado and Teresa’s packet soup, (flavoured with air freshener by an off
stage baby). As sparks fly and miscommunications occur, the poor couple appear completely out of
their depths.
This enjoyable production is one of the Torch’s finest moments and some credit must go to the
original script by Alan Ayckbourn. With laughs, tension and heart wrenching moments, it delivers
everything you could want in a play.
How the other half loves runs until 25th October. By Amanda Griffiths