American Women's Club of Hamburg Currents Magazine January 2014 | Page 30

MEMBERSHIP/RE VIE WS month to get to know more about Strauss and his music. We will consider five of his most significant operas in turn, with a special focus, of course, on Arabella. Our meetings take place on Friday mornings in Hamburg-Poppenbüttel at Elizabeth R.’s home. The first meeting for Richard Strauss and Arabella is planned for Friday, February 7 starting at 10:00. Contact Elizabeth R. at [email protected] for more information. R elatively speak ing, The English Theatre’s Latest Play is a Hoot R elatively Speak ing by Alan Ayck bor n, Clifford D ean direc ts by Marinell H. The phone rings Greg awake—Ginny’s already up. And apparently clueless about the strange phone calls, and the numerous bouquets and gifts cropping up in the flat. Ginny’s justifications ring hollow, but she’s pressed to catch a train to visit her parents—alone—outside London. Greg is doubly hurt when Ginny flatly refuses his accompanying her. Her flimsy rationalization is her parents penchant for routine, and that they’ve only known one another a month. Once she has left, but for the scribbled address Greg finds, he would not know where to find Ginny; he dashes out in pursuit. Meanwhile, Ginny’s boss Phillip and wife Shelia breakfast, somewhat testily, in their sunny garden. Where Greg turns up, unknown, i.e. unexpected, yet resolute on asking Ginny’s parents for her hand in marriage. Unbeknownst to Greg, and Shelia, Ginny’s enigmatic trip is to break off her affair with Phillip. Ever polite, Shelia humors Greg; Phillip misconstrues that it is Shelia Greg wants to marry. Ginny’s arrival further complicates the situation— let the games begin. In this, Alan Ayckborn’s seventh play—he’s written 77—we’re treated to uproarious comedy. Ageless and still considered one of Ayckborn’s bestcrafted plays, the London cast excels. Dale Monie captures Greg’s naiveté and determination, whereas Charlotte Croft’s cagey Ginny has yet to realize honesty is the better policy. Jan Hirst’s Shelia— 30 trusting but no fool, and James Walmsley’s Philip—a randy old rascal caught unawares, delivery and timing is spot-on. As the quips fly, and under Clifford Dean’s marvelously measured direction, the actors’ physical and verbal expressive interaction is excellent. Relatively Speaking adds sunny laughter and fun to the gray wintry days, while focusing on relationship themes begging for contemplation. Relatively Speaking runs until February 8, 2014. Evening and matinee performances; tickets available at the theatre or online: www.englishtheatre.de. The English Theatre of Hamburg, Lerchenfeld 14, 22081 Hamburg, Tel: 040-227 70 89: U-Bahn Mundsburg. American Women’s Club of Hamburg e.V.