The Opposite Sex at the Garrick – Review
The Opposite Sex
Lichfield Players
Lichfield Garrick Studio Theatre
Wednesday 17 July 2024
Review by Jono Oates
The Opposite Sex, by comedy playwright David Tristram, is the latest offering from the small, but perfectly-formed, Lichfield Players company. Based on the book, which was published in 1999, the comedy play is one of thirty written by Tristram who was born in Dudley, West Midlands, and later went to Birmingham University.
The Opposite Sex features two warring couples, Mark who is married to Vicky and Judith who is married to Eric, who meet by chance, and agree to have dinner at the home of Mark and Vicky, only to discover that they have a secret past that they don’t want to be uncovered. As the evening progresses, they try and keep their respective secrets under wraps, but, once the truth comes to the surface, arguments occur and as tempers are lost the mood of the evening changes from a peaceful soiree to a vitriolic and, at times, violent conclusion. Will their respective relationships be harmed forever or will they be able to put their differences behind them and let bygones be bygones?
The play is set in one room, the living room of Mark and Vicky’s home, and is a four-hander with the couples being the only cast members. There are lots of one-liners, with laugh-out loud moments, and also some slapstick with food ending up on the floor rather than on the table!
Dickie Bannister-Lowe plays middle class advertising executive Mark and is excellent, enjoying some of the best one-liners, and playing the aggrieved, put-upon husband to perfection. Sarah Stanley is the exasperated Vicky, fed-up with her life spent with Mark, and determined to put him in his place. A very experienced actress, I have seen her in many productions but it always takes me a while to realise who she is, as she is a bit if a chameleon, able to use her skill of regional accents, attitudes and dress sense to great effect. Another experienced actress is Niamh Mahon, who plays Judith, an Avon lady, who, just like Vicky, is frustrated by her aggressive, foul-mouthed husband. The last of the quartet is a newcomer to the Lichfield Players, Lee Williams, who plays the slovenly Eric, swilling beer and spending most of the evening, taunting right-wing Mark with his left-wing views. With his knowledge of the area, David Tristram’s Eric is a proper ‘Brummie’, and the accent is always guaranteed to raise a chuckle or two. A promising debut by Lee, will hopefully see him in more Player’s productions in the future. The four actors play-off each other very effectively and clearly enjoy themselves on stage, the two chaps certainly seem to enjoy the fight scenes, which are both entertaining and realistic – please note that no actors were harmed in the making of The Opposite Sec=x though!
The play is directed by Maureen George, a very experienced director and a fine comedy actress in her own right, a very safe pair of hands for this spirited comedy. Maureen also produced two of David Tristram other plays, Little Grimley, in 2019, raising funds for her chosen charity, the Brain Tumour Charity.
It’s a clever and witty play, and I’m sure that many people in the audience will recognise some of the frustrations and annoyance of the play’s warring couples with their own partners and home life!
The Opposite Sex is a comedy with adult themes and not suitable for children. Please note that access to the Studio Theatre is via the blue-door entrance on Castle Dyke (opposite the apartments) rather than the main, or Green Door, entrances while the refurbishment of the Garrick takes place currently.
The Opposite Sex, by the Lichfield Players, is on at the Lichfield Garrick Studio Theatre, until Saturday 20 July, there is a matinee performance on Saturday at 2.45pm, and an evening performance at 7.45pm. Tickets start from £18 and can be booked by ringing the Box Office on 01543 412121 or by booking online at: www.lichfieldgarrick.com/whats-on/comedy/the-opposite-sex-lichfield-players/3377
