FOR forty years Alan Bennett has shown equal mastery of wry wit, the tellingly comical phrase and dramatic construction in works as diverse as Habeas Corpus, The Madness of King George, Talking Heads and The History Boys.
Under Di Prutton's clear direction these qualities shine out brightly here.
Liz Antcliffe, in her first major role, skilfully combines dignity with dottiness as the eccentric Miss Shepherd who with her "attendant aroma" lives for 15 years in a v
an outside Bennett's London house.
Jeff Redfern and Neil Walker as the public and inner persona of Bennett respectively excel in two superbly written parts, the one always trying to be reasonable, the other camper and more biting.
The play perfectly credibly allows them to speak to each other as the uneasy yet caring relationship between Bennett and Miss Shepherd is developed and analysed, paralleled by that between Bennett and his own mother, whose mental and physical health is declining.
Kathy Gemmell as the social worker and Joy Banks as Bennett's mother lend strong support to neatly complementary performances by the three principals.
If this sounds a bit dull, Bennett's wit and whimsy keep us chuckling throughout, whilst ensuring, through the subtly understated poignancy of the situations, that the audience always feels just a bit too uncomfortable to laugh too heartily.
n Continues at Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, until Saturday, at 7. 30 pm
Julian Wilde
The full article contains 238 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
