“The Watermill's Relatively Speaking is an absolute comic gem.” The British Theatre Guide
“the situation comedy and the cast’s timing were impeccable” The Public Reviews
“The intimate atmosphere of the Watermill is a perfect setting for Ayckbourn’s cleverly constructed comedy" The Stage
“This is just the show to brighten a dreary winter’s evening.” The Oxford Times
RELATIVELY SPEAKING
By Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Orla O'Loughlin
Designed by Anthony Lamble
Lighting designed by Philip Gladwell
Thu 17 February 2011 - Sat 26 March 2011
Performance Times
Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
(please note there is no matinee performance on Thursday 17 February)
Saturday 26 March performances at 1.30pm and 6.30pm
“This was a hugely entertaining play performed by an accomplished cast and thoroughly enjoyed by the enthusiastic audience. Highly recommended.” The British Theatre Guide
“This is just the show to brighten a dreary winter’s evening.” The Oxford Times
“The situation comedy and the cast’s timing were impeccable” The Public Reviews
“The intimate atmosphere of the Watermill is a perfect setting for Ayckbourn’s cleverly constructed comedy about mistaken identity and infidelity.” The Stage
Bouquets in the bath tub, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, and a large pair of men’s slippers under the bed. Unsurprisingly insecure about his relationship with his fiancée, Greg is further disconcerted when she is reticent about introducing him to her parents. So he decides to surprise her, and his future in-laws, in their home in leafy Buckinghamshire and walks off the train and into a web of confusion. A lovesick suitor, a bewildered hostess, an irascible ‘father’ and a girl whose number's almost up people this ingenious, classic comedy where a series of hilarious misunderstandings play out until no-one can be sure who is in love with whom.
Relatively Speaking was Alan Ayckbourn's break out hit and its transfer to the West End quickly propelled him to fame.
The Cast
David Acton Philip
Ellie Beaven Ginny
Gillian Bevan Sheila
Greg Haiste Greg
Greg Haiste and Ellie Beaven both appeared in The Watermill's hugely popular production of Black Comedy. David Acton appeared in our production of Copenhagen and is a former member of the Shakespeare company, Propeller. Gillian Bevan's career spans both theatre and television and she appears at The Watermill for the second time, the first being a brief appearance during Blood Brothers when she stepped in to replace a sick member of the company at very short notice!
Orla O'Loughlin directed The Watermill's sell-out productions of Black Comedy and Blithe Spirit.
Tickets
Mon evenings & Thurs matinées
£14, £14.50
Tues, Weds, Thurs evenings and Sat matinées
£14.50, £21, £23
Fri & Sat evenings
£15.50, £23, £25
First week special
On the first Thurs and Fri seats are £14 and £14.50
Performance Running Times
First Act: 60 mins
Interval: 20 mins
Second Act: 50 mins
 | British Sign Language interpreted performance:
Monday 14 March at 7.30pm |
 | Audio Described Performance:
Thursday 10 March at 2.30pm, Touch Tour at 12.30pm |
Talkback after the show:
Talk back
Free talk back after the show on Friday 4 March and Friday 18 March
