RELATIONS are strained in Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends at Kenilworth’s Talisman Theatre.
Diana has organised a tea party to cheer up an old friend, Colin, whose fiancé has recently drowned. Her husband, Paul, and his employee, John, are unenthusiastic and the third friend, Gordon, is absent due to illness. Gordon’s wife, the long-suffering Marge turns up, however, as does John’s wife, Evelyn, along with their very young baby.
The group is a powder-keg, threatening to explode just as Colin’s arrival forces everyone to be on their best behaviour. His apparent happiness, despite his loss, highlights the misery of those around him and his attempts to sort out their problems only builds more tension and conflict.
Absent Friends runs from February 5 to 10.
Visit talismantheatre.co.uk for tickets and further details.
