The Anniversary

Bill MacIlwraith’s The Anniversary is a very black comedy about family relationships.

Despite the fact her husband has been dead for a decade, ‘Mum’ delights in an annual Anniversary celebration, an opportunity to torment her adult children. Her three sons all have secrets - one is recently engaged and his fiancé is pregnant, another is loathe to reveal that he is planning to emigrate and the oldest has some rather peculiar hobbies.

Darlington Theatre Players have set this production around the time of the premiere of this show in 1966, with Shelly Miller’s costumes of the period and nicely chosen. George Boyd’s set has the stability and beautiful finish that you would expect in a home owned by the manager of a building company - and it is lit with a realistic lighting design by Michael Hart.

Jacqui Warner, known for playing lovely characters and being sweet off stage, really switches gears in this production, successfully portraying the malicious, deceptive mother under the direction of husband, Rob.

Benedict Chau is strong as son Tom, who faces the daunting task of introducing his pregnant finance to the vicious matriarch. Ellie Bawden is lovely as Shirley, who finds she can give as good as she gets.

Real-life married couple Luke and Shelly Miller play husband and wife Terry and Karen in convincing performances, and perhaps unsurprisingly have tangible rapport.

Paul Reed shines as Henry, whose unconventional proclivities provide much of the levity in this show, He has wonderful facial expression and is an audience favourite

A well acted, well produced show, with great pace and precision.

Kimberley Shaw