Review by Paul Towers, 20/1/25
It Could Be Any One Of Us by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Mary Jones
Produced by Leicester Drama Society
At The Little Theatre until Saturday 25th
January
Alan Ayckbourn’s take on a comedy thriller hits
The Little Theatre this week.
Norris Honeywell (Paul Large) and his partner
Jocelyn Polegate (Karen Gordon), a failed novelist, live in a ramshackle old
house that belongs to Jocelyn’s brother Mortimer Chalke (Adam Jones) along with
her other brother Brinton (David Stevens), a failed painter, and her teenage daughter
with Norris Amy (Steph Allured).
There has always been tension between
Mortimer, who has written dozens of pieces of music but has never had any
performed, and Norris who resents Mortimer’s lording it over the rest of the
family.
Tensions are further inflamed when Mortimer
announces that he has changed his will and is leaving everything to Wendy
Winwood (Nikki Favell), an ex pupil of his.
Most of the comedy comes form Mortimer’s
acidic put downs to various family members. While Norris, flapping around like
an injured seagull, creates hilarious moments with his stream of consciousness narrative.
Jocelyn, meanwhile, is trying to keep the
peace between everyone and also motivate her stroppy teenage daughter, Amy.
Brother Brinton wafts around dreamily
declaring his love for Wendy.
Everything gradually winds up and a series of
‘accidents’ point towards someone trying to kill Wendy to prevent her
inheriting. A dead body means that ‘it could be any one of us’ who is a
murderer.
This is a comedic Country House murder mystery
that will have you laughing from the start.
It Could Be Any One Of Us runs at The Little Theatre
until Saturday 25th January
https://ptheatre.blogspot.com/