Review: Season's Greetings at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Season's Greetings

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Review by Alison Norton

You could almost smell the roast turkey and mulled wine as Bill Kenwright's production of Alan Ayckbourn's Season's Greetings opened at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre last night. There is no doubt that Christmas is almost upon us.

Claiming to be "all about the children really", this is the perfect amusing snapshot of family life at Christmas, as the adults take on the youngsters' characteristics - watching the same old film, opening presents before you should, breaking up and making up and all the emotions that go to make the festive period a totally unique time of year.

The author describes the play as being about love, jealousy, greed and lust - just your average family Christmas - but it is presented in a humorous, light-hearted way with laugh-out loud comedy which is extremely entertaining and very easy to watch.

Glynis Barber is delightful as the hostess with the mostess, Belinda, while Jenny Funnell has the character of Rachel, her somewhat dowdy sister, off to a tee. Sue Wallace as Phyllis has a small, but hilarious part, played to perfection, but the evening really belongs to Dennis Lill, as the slightly deranged Harvey, who everyone will recognise as the mad uncle within their own family.

An excellent production with an exceptionally strong cast. The ending is a little weak, but don't be put off because the lead up to it is well worth seeing.

Runs until Saturday.