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—
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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.