What I had not realised before we began rehearsals, was that this was originally written by Shakespeare as one of his comedies. Over the centuries, the issue of the Jewish nation has become so serious, and so given to unacceptable racism that you, like me, will probably struggle to comprehend this subject matter as comedy. In Shakespeare's time it was and Lawrence's central aim has been to capture the comedy as a priority, without disturbing the text or the story-line. This was a bold ambition but one to which a relatively new cast put itself with great enthusiasm.

Our large cast for The Merchant included such regulars as; Gary MacKenzie, Greg Drysdale, Duncan Macleod, Fiona Drysdale and myself. The club was also pleased to introduce a host of new players including; Sarah Smalley, Gillian Wilson, Lorraine Dunion, Hamish Hutchison, Steven Hallatt, Andy Smalley, Willie Harper, Stuart Bailley and Sarah Talbot.

Gerry Docherty, Artistic Director

By J.M.Synge

Directed by Gerry Docherty

The Playboy Of The Western World by JM Synge was first produced in 1907. This play sent shock waves through the dramatic world, pushing the limits of decency and stoking an already red-hot nationalistic fire. Though met with near instant rioting and controversy, it is now considered a masterpiece of poetic drama.

"Through sheer coincidence we chose The Playboy of the Western World for our 200th Alman production, for JM Synge wrote this play one hundred years ago and it was given its first showing at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, in January 2007.
So in a way it's his century and our double-century!

Synge did not expect the violent reaction to his play, for there were riots in the streets of Dublin following its first production. Why that should have followed this tragic-comedy is difficult to fathom at the start of the twenty-first century, but his portrayal of the west-coast country folk as rough and ready, gullible creatures, clearly disdainful of the Catholic church and obsessed with drink, sex and "a man that killed his father", did not resonate with respectable theatregoers in the 1900s.

Synge wrote the play with a lyrical ear to the speech patterns of the country folk he was portraying, and this makes its translation onto the stage all the more demanding. His characters include strong assertive women, drink-obsessed men, a scarecrow of a cousin awaiting Papal dispensation to marry into his own family and a new hero whose very survival lies between "a callous story " of one murder, and "a dirty deed", the repetition of that murder.

In this 200th production I was very pleased to include in the cast such experienced members as Carol Patterson, Richard Mackintosh, Denzil Wright, David McCreight, Clare Scougall, and Greg Drysdale, with newcomers Fiona Drysdale and Duncan MacLeod making their first appearances here. I was particularly grateful to Steven Morton who stepped into a breech well into rehearsals, who made a welcome return to the Alman."

Gerry Docherty, Artistic Director

By Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Alan Boyd

Like all of Ayckbourn's work 'Confusions' combines his comic take on people's behaviour with the darker side of human experience; in this instance relationships and loneliness. The result is a witty and poignant glimpse at a range of immediately recognisable characters. In 'Mother Figure' our heroine decides that if adults behave like children then that's how they should be treated. 'Between Mouthfuls' is a slightly surreal view of quarrelling couples in a restaurant assisted by a supremely professional waiter. Lonely Harry is the 'Drinking Companion' from hell! and 'Gosforth's Fete' is the village gala where everything that can go wrong does!

Alan Boyd made his directing debut for the Alman and the cast included many well know Almanites; Susan Chown, George Marcinkiewicz, Denzil Wright, Gary McKenzie, Richard McIntosh, Claire Mathieson, Greg Drysdale and treading the Coach-house boards for the first time, Sam McKenzie.

This was a challenging project, requiring, as it did, 4 separate productions, each with its own cast, set, props and costumes. However, 'Confusions' is brilliantly entertaining, great fun to present, and consistently popular with audiences.

Information on all things Alan Ayckbourn can be found at his official site:
www.alanayckbourn.net

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