Being lost for words must be an alien concept for prolific playwright Alan Ayckbourn, yet that’s the basis of Improbable Fiction, his 69th play, now being performed at The Mill at Sonning, write Carol Evans.
Six members of a creative writing group are gathered for their monthly meeting but there is little sign of creative juices flowing or, indeed, having flowed since last they met. Collectively, it appears they have writer’s block and a jolt of inspiration is what’s needed to kickstart them out of their inertia.
Gay farmer and sourpuss Julie (Jess Bates) is still researching her historical novel, while excitable journalist Vivvi (an exuberant Sarah Lawrie) is stuck for ideas with her 1930s detective novel, her sixth in an unpublished series. Sci-fi nerd Clem (Ben Porter) is lost in the cosmic firmament honing a fondness for malapropisms. Poor Grace (Angela Sims) is struggling to even start Doblin the Goblin, a children’s tale originally for her now-teenaged offspring, because she is still doing the illustrations. Pompous ex-headteacher Brevis (Lawrence Kennedy) can’t continue his lyrics for a musical since his collaborator went awol.
Only kind-hearted Arnold (a genial Andrew Bone), in whose house the group are meeting, seems untroubled but, as he points out, he only writes instruction manuals. Arnold’s only concern is for his bedridden mother upstairs but thankfully, a young home-help (a sparky Rhiannon Handy) comes in to help with that.
They seem a pretty despondent bunch and towards the end of the first act you wonder how Ayckbourn can possibly wrest any comedy from these under-performing wannabes.
But, true to form, he does, as with a clap of thunder, the mood changes completely and Arnold’s suggestion of pooling ideas to stimulate imagination takes flight. To reveal more would be a spoiler but what a crazy flight of fancy this is: a most improbable fiction indeed as Victorian intrigue effortlessly segues into a murder hunt by slick trench-coated sleuths to sharp-talking alien abduction investigators.
With pacy, split-second timing, lightning costume and character changes, we are treated to several storylines all on-the-go at once in a wild jumble of fun. Ayckbourn has allowed his own imagination to go into overdrive. It’s a daft, riotous but essentially jolly jape – and very enjoyable.
The play runs until May 6. Tickets include a two course meal, cost £46 and are available at www.millatsonning.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here