Joking Apart

TNT

Everything is perfectly peachy for happily unmarried hosts Richard and Anthea, but their well-meaning attempts to improve the lives of those around them consistently backfire in Alan Ayckbourn’s 1978 social comedy.

Over twelve years and four parties held in their spacious garden, he traces their fortunes (always on the up) and those of their less blessed guests – their next-door neighbours (new vicar Hugh and his mousey, neurotic spouse), Richard’s less able business partner (Finnish Sven with an answer to everything until illness strikes) and his wife Olive, plus lovesick employee Brian who brings along a succession of girlfriends he’s not the least bit interested in.

Holly Best’s realistic set even manages to include a hint of unseen tennis court in this intimate venue, and although the performances could be subtler and deeper, they’re more than adequate to convey the underlying sadness which surrounds the untouchable golden couple as the years take their toll on everyone else.

Union Theatre, Union Street, SE1 0LX Tube: Southwark Until Jan 14 (£16) uniontheatre.biz