Act Reviews 2024 / 2025 Season

IMPROBABLE FICTION by Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Alison Bell Blackburn Drama Club The warm and inviting atmosphere of Blackburn Empire Theatre set the tone for the evening as I attended Blackburn Drama Club’s latest production. ‘Improbable Fiction’, written by the prolific British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, is an exploration of creativity and the power of imagination. Ayckbourn, known for his sharp wit and intricate play structures, penned this piece in 2005 towards the later stages of his career. It's believed that the play was inspired by a talk he once gave to a writers' group, serving as both a celebration and a humorous critique of the writing process. The show is very much a play of two halves. The first act introduces us to a seemingly ordinary writers' group meeting, where each character shares their unique writing style and story ideas. This setting serves as the exposition, allowing the audience to become acquainted with the eclectic mix of personalities. The second act takes a wild and unexpected turn as the characters' stories spring to life on stage, melding into a mad melting pot of differing genres and humour. All the chaos is observed by Arnold, the ever-present group leader, who becomes the anchor amidst the swirling storm of imagination. The set, designed by Alison Bell and constructed by Martin Cottam, Pearce DarnellWalsh, and Graham Haworth, provided a dynamic space that catered to the play's complex demands. The entire play unfolded within a single set—Arnold's living room. Despite its simplicity, the set was effective, featuring stairs leading to an unseen upstairs, an entryway arch to the front door, and two additional doors leading to different areas depending on the scene or timeframe. The choice to incorporate multiple exit options was smart, especially considering the constant toing and froing of characters between scenes, places, and timeframes. This design not only gave the director more options to play with but also maintained a brisk pace throughout the performance. The telephone was used as an orientating prop, its transformation, facilitated by a turntable, served as a quick indicator to the audience of shifts in the storyline, effectively grounding us amidst the swirling narratives. Props, managed by Alison Bell, Clive Stack, and friends added depth and authenticity to each scene. The use of candles created the perfect atmosphere for the period storyline, while the alien-detecting lamps that transformed into flowers were a delightful touch. Most impressive, however, was the huge walnut shell on wheels! Other essential items like paintings, portfolios, and crockery were thoughtfully incorporated, enhancing the visual storytelling. Costumes by Jane Stack were outstanding—versatile and tailored to

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