Review: If I Were You
Venue: The Library Theatre
Date Reviewed: 5th June, 2008
If I Were You is Alan Ayckbourn’s 70th play and concerns the inability of people to see someone else’s point of view. The casual sexism and homophobia of furniture store manager Mal Rodale (Bill Champion) and his son-in-law/assistant Dean (Phil Cheadle) has begun to create problems which, if not addressed, will cause lasting damage to his family.
Mal’s inability to find common ground with his 15-year old son Sam (Arthur Wilson) has begun to alienate the boy and his extra - marital affair has contributed to the growing depression of his wife Jill (Meriel Scholfield). Unlike Mal, Jill has realised that Dean has begun to physically abuse their daughter Chrissie (Amy Searles) but is uncertain of how to deal with the problem.
The play is not one of Ayckbourn’s best. The characterisation of both Mal and Dean is so broad, it is almost cliched. The plot twist by which the characters are compelled to face, and resolve, their problems is very predictable and too neat to be convincing.
Even though the writing is not of the quality one might hope, the production itself is of a very high standard. Dawn Allsopp’s set divides the stage into three rooms – living room , kitchen and bedroom – which , with a few lighting changes and the use of piped music, serve also as the furniture store in which Mal and Dean work.
Best of all the skilfully concealed exits allow Director Chris Honer to move the cast between scenes with almost cinematic speed and a natural pace that never seems rushed and ensures that the pace does not lag, allowing the comedyto gain momentum.
Honer’s production is very funny indeed and the cast all rise to his wonderful direction with aplomb. Champion and Schofield are exceptional. They each adopt the characteristics of the other and do so with subtle body language, that not only convinces but is hilariously conveyed.
Overall, Ayckbourn’s If I Were You is an undemanding play, which does not quite grapple with the issues it raises but, thanks to Honer and his excellent cast, it provides the basis for a very entertaining and high quality production.
-Dave Cunningham