‘Month of Sundays’

Press, 26 September 1988, Page 6

‘Month of Sundays’

“A Month of Sundays.” By Bob Larbey. Directed by Penny Giddens for the Repertory Theatre, Kilmore Street. September 24 to October 1, 1988; Running timer 8 p.m. to 10.40 p.m. Re--viewed by Elody Rathgen. “A Month of Sundays” by Bob Larbey (TV scriptwriter for "The Good Life,” "A Fine Romance,” and others) is a play about ageing, and life in an old people’s home. It is a funny-sad play which will strikq chords in many people’s lives, not just those growing older. The stage is dominated by Cooper (played by William Cook) who has decided that the only place to live in his old age is a comfortable rest home. He neither wants dependence in his daughter’s home, nor can he bear any longer to live alone in a house without his wife who has died. He is a charming irascible, sexist old man whom the staff in the home either love or fear. His determination to keep • control of his failing body and mind wins their admiration. Although he is sharp with them he is also brutally honest with himself. This makes it difficult for people to relate comfortably to him, particularly his closest family who visit him on "the first Sunday of every month.” • William Cook is excellent in the role. He had to grow into the part because • there was some uneasiness in the open- ' ing scene and a few line lapses. Never- • theless he portrays the shrewdness and flashes of warmth of the character subtly and with consistency. ; The rest of the cast were competent but in all there was a stiffness, a self1 consciousness which kept pace of the

play a little slow. Juliet Wilkinson as Mrs Baker the cleaner, was perhaps the exception to this. Vivienne Milsom as Nurse Wilson needed more warmth and energy to convince us that she really was the leading light in Cooper’s life. She was very steady and reliable in her performance, and maybe her inhibition was due to first night nerves. The awkwardness of the actors was more appropriate perhaps for Cooper's daughter and son-in-law (played by Lynn Williams and Colin Alexander) who were always uncomfortable about their dutiful monthly visit. But even so their scenes were rather stiff. The fear of the growing infirmity of old age is emphasised through Cooper’s friend, Aylott, played very evenly by Patrick Dowman. He and Cooper keep a check on each other with little routines of memory games, chess and in-jokes. Sadly, perhaps affected by the death of one of the other inmates, Aylott suffers a day of disorientation, a signal of things to come for him. The set is rather dowdy for the very comfortable rest home it is said to be in the text. I think it is mostly because of the unfortunate and dull choice of colours. Penny Giddens’ direction is sensitive and meticulous, with the cast strongly bonded and all very clear about the purpose of the play. It is not a great play but it is a gentle, sad and wry look at the inevitability of loss in growing older. It confronts the problems of the emotional and physical ageing process and provides a pleasant evening out at the theatre.