The combination of director Richard Baron and designer Ken Harrison is never a bad thing at Pitlochry. And, this season, it’s a triple bonus with the pair behind an Alan Aykbourn trilogy which has never been seen in its entirety since its London debut in 2002. And later in the season, Pitlochry theatre-goers can make a day of it – morning, afternoon and evening.
The first of the Damsels In Distress trilogy is Game Plan – sometimes touching, sometimes tragic, but, mostly, outrageously funny, although, incongruously, its about sex and death.
Lynette, recently estranged from her husband, is feeling the financial strain living in her riverside Docklands apartment in London with her teenage daughter, Sorrel.
With the threat of moving away, Sorrel decides enough is enough and decides to set up a website advertising herself as a high-class call girl.
Her wacky classmate and neighbour Kelly is aghast but goes along with it, but her first “customer’s” death proves a bit of an inconvenience!
It’s an impressive Harrison-inspired setting – luxury apartment complete with fully-working kitchen and a large balcony with a magnificent view of the offices across the river.
The three plays are standalone productions although all share the same set and seven actors. The interest will centre on the contrasting roles between each one.
Amanda Osborne is mum – loyal and frustrated at her angst-ridden daughter, Sorrel, played by Kirsty Mackay, whose transformation into call girl “Mandy” is quite a revelation. Game Plan runs on various dates until October 12.