A Pageant

Synopsis

Stung by criticism from fiancé, Lionel, Sylvie Bell resolves to make a fresh start to her life - out with the old, in with the new. And the first thing she intends throwing out is Lionel Hepplewick. And for the new? - well, come self-improving private English literature classes from headmaster Toby Teasdale will do nicely for a start. But nothing is ever simple, as Sylvie discovers when she is caught up in a tangle of amorous marital repercussions. As for Toby, struggling to stage the annual school historical pageant, he experiences every producer's worst nightmare when he is caught between two warring Boadiceas, both intent on vengeance.

Our Review:

Anne Morley-Priestman - 10 May 2013

The third of Ayckbourn's Intimate Exchanges to be staged as part of the Made in Colchester season focuses on Sylvie and her relationships with handyman Lionel and headmaster Toby, whose wife Celia employs her as a home-help. As with the other plays, A Pageant begins on the terrace of the headmaster's house; Celia comes out for a break from a major house-clean and has an exchange with Lionel over what might be done to the garden.

So far, so familiar. By this point in the sequence we feel that we know all four characters very well. But Ayckbourn has some surprises for us. That pageant of the title concerns the Iceni queen Boudica (or Bonduca, or Boadicea if you prefer), one of Colchester's heroines – or anti-heroines. Toby, roped in unwillingly as director, has apparently double-cast the role. To say that this leads to a cat-fight is to understate the rumpus which ensues.

Sylvie in Ruth Gibson portrayal has hidden dept...

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