'Very little actually happens but it's utterly engrossing' - Otherwise Engaged at the Lace Market Theatre

If you know the work of Oscar Wilde you might already have some idea about the Lace Market Theatre’s latest play from Christopher Collins in his directorial debut. But only some idea.

Right enough, Otherwise Engaged features comfortable public school/Oxbridge literary types making witty and derogatory observations about each other. But unlike Wilde's characters, this lot spend a great deal of time outside the play in and out of each other’s beds.

And their lives turn out to be futile and empty.

In a wordy play in which very little actually happens, development comes through revelation rather than plot. And it’s publisher Simon Hench (played with superb confidence and control by Ian Currie) of all the characters, about whom we learn most. Initially he seems easy-going and amoral. Later he turns out to be cynical and immoral .

Everyone else in the play visits Simon in turn, while all the time he’s trying to settle down for a spot of Wagner.

First is the only unpretentious plebeian in the piece, upstairs lodger Dave (James Whitby), a deadbeat student who functions as if he eats drugs for dinner. Next comes the most dissolute of the lot, Jeff (Malcolm Todd on splendid form), a drunken critic whose speciality seems to be adultery.

Thereafter we get Simon’s brother, Stephen (Richard Young), a failed teacher who thinks he’s being promoted when the opposite is happening. And there’s Davina (Danielle Hall), who tries to get Simon to publish her book by removing her clothes.

Wood (the excellent Richard Fife), half man-half rabbit, who was at school with Simon and Stephen, turns up with a pathetic tale; and Simon’s wife Beth (Dawn Price) returns home with another bed story.

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"Otherwise Engaged" by Simon Gray

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre

With his wife away, Simon Hench, a successful publisher and avid fan of Wagner, is looking forward to a long, luxurious listen to his brand new record of "Parsifal". But the love life of his lodger, Dave, and his brother’s desire to share his anxiety over his prospects for an Assistant Headmastership turn out to be just the beginning of a string of interruptions which increasingly draw Simon himself into a whirlpool of accusations and recriminations.

I'll admit that i knew nothing of this play and its' author, but Simon Gray writes a humorous tale with some very colourful characters which would not be out of place in an after the watershed soap opera.

Ian Currie (Simon Hench) plays the character practically comatose, he is so laid back. With all the things that disrupt his afternoon, as well as the revelations that become revealed, he is remarkably cool about it all.

Richard Young (Stephen Hench). This character doesn't have his brother's placidity and Richard's almost neurotic performance is a lovely opposite.

Beth played by Dawn Price, makes an entrance towards the back end of the play but provides the spark in the tinderbox of Simon's existence. Her secret has been revealed but what has she been hiding for the last 10 months?

Jeff played by Malcolm Todd is one of my favourite characters in this play - don't get me wrong, all of the characters come with a back story that is of interest. Jeff likes a drink or twenty and his gradual decline after his love life becomes even more complicated than it was is a piece of comedy gold. Let's face it, we all love to laugh, maybe snigger, at a drunk and Malcolm plays an entertaining drunk.

Davina is Malcolm's other bit on the side and played by Danielle Hall. Davinia is a tease where the men in the play are concerned, and doesn't take her long to latch on to Simon.Danielle looked as if she was enjoying every second of this fun and flirty character, and it was fun watching Davinia.

Dave is played by James Whitby. Quite the typical 70's student, I imagine, but in line with what I can remember from those 70's sit-coms where there is a student featured. Either stoned or drunk or both, again it's great fun watching someone on the verge of tipping over. With a back story of an unlucky love life, Dave gets quite a bit of a sympathy vote, especially neat the start.

Wood, played by Richard Fife, has an interesting past, as well as an interesting present. To the onlooker, Wood has had a pretty varied life which we find out is still far from boring!

Directed by Christopher Collins, this is his debut as a Director but he seems to have chosen not the easiest of plays to direct, but he has turned out a very impressive debut. Chris has a brilliant cast and tech team and any nerves that he may have had before the play started were rapidly hidden. Running for the full 90 minutes straight through, he made the right choice to do it in one act because of the smooth flow of the script and action. I look forward to seeing more directing from one of local theatre's Mr Nice guys.

Sound Design by Gareth Morris and Lighting Design by Rose Dudley. As far as I could tell all of the sound cues were spot on and everything ran very smoothly for both Gareth and Rose.

The wardrobe department sourced some wonderful typical 70's garb, especially for Dave and I also loved the props which straight away set the feel of the era up for the audience.

To summarise, even though this may not be one of the most well known plays by a well known writer, it's sometimes an education to see something slightly off of the beaten track such as this. It's remarkably well written with some brilliantly observed comedy lines. The cast deliver their roles brilliantly and with the sprightly pace of a good farce, for me it all came to a close sooner than the elapsed 90 minutes. Always a good sign for any piece of theatre when you don't notice the time!

I have it on very good authority that it's practically sold out all week but don't let that stop you checking for ticket availability because I think anyone who likes a good pacy comedy will love this one.

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