[Ad-gifted] Last night I was invited to watch the opening night of Alan Ayckbourn‘s Constant Companions, his 89th play, at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme and what an enjoyable night it was!
The play is a Stephen Joseph Theatre production is set in “some time to come” where in the probable future, both AI Robots and humans would co-exist. The play delves into the human mind and soul and looks at possibilities of how emotions come into play with the involvement of artificial intelligence.
I love New Vic as its unique theatre-in-the-round or central staging set-up means that the audience surround the stage and it is theatre in 3D.
The stage was set to accommodate three interwoven scenes which takes place in three different locations. The first, at Don’s (played by Andy Cryer) bedroom, the second at Lorraine’s (played by Alexandra Mathie) office and the third at the attic in the De Santo’s house. With no walls or separation present, the different scenes are effortlessly curated thanks to the Lighting Design by Mark ‘Tigger’ Johnson.
Cryer plays a lonely singleton middle-aged man who is craving for some intimacy hence orders a “Konstant Kompanion” AI Robot from his friend, Winston (played by Leigh Symonds). He realises that assembling the robot is not as easy as he thought it would be and struggles to get it working and then to get it out of the bathroom due to her large “assets”.
Lorraine, a high-powered lawyer to the De Santos, is 60-years-old and in a loveless marriage, she is assisted by Slyvia (played by Georgia Burnell). Lorraine soon falls for JAN 60 (played by Richard Stacey), an android who works as the office janitor.
Winston, an android engineer is next called to the De Santos home where he meets with Mrs Andrea De Santos (played by Tanya-Loretta Dee) she tells Winston that ED/Edie, her AI android maid (played by Naomi Petersen) has seduced her 17-year old son, Robin. Winston is to tweak ED’s setting so she is more robot like and stops having feelings for her son…but will Winston succeed or will ED find his weakness and manipulate him?
Even though the play was over 2 hours long, it went quickly and you could see that the audience was engaged all along. I love how the play was brought to life by the talented actors who kept the audiences wanting more. Stacey‘s portrayal of JAN60 was truly hilarious, and his robot like twitchy movements, as well as his high pitched laughs, had the crowd in stiches.
I loved how Petersen played ED so well, there was something almost sinister about her character that although loveable, you are not sure if you can trust her. Mathie was equally entertaining to watch and I bet a lot of the audiences could relate to her or know of someone in her predicament.
I loved the wardrobe choices made by Wardrobe Supervisor Julia Perry-Mook, I thought Dee, Mathie and Burnell which dressed sophisticatedly and very sleek.
I found the play to be relatable, especially now with more and more people turning to AI for companionship and it seems so realistic in a scary way. Ayckbourn is a wonderful play writer and audiences will leave his play stimulated with questions about human inadequacy, the need for human contact as well companionship.
Cast
Georgia Burnell as Sylvia
Andy Cryer as Don
Tanya-Loretta Dee as Andrea
Alexandra Mathie as Lorraine
Naomi Petersen as ED
Richard Stacey as JAN 60
Leigh Symonds as Winston
Creative Team
Writer and Director Alan Ayckbourn
Set and Costume Design Kevin Jenkins
Lighting Design Mark ‘Tigger’ Johnson
Associate Sound Design Ernest Acquah
Casting Sarah Hughes CDG
Wardrobe Supervisor Julia Perry-Mook
Scenic Artist Rich Marr
How much do the tickets to Constant Companions cost?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £10 to £30.50.
Part of our Three Plays for £72 package
Group Discounts: £2.00 off for ten or more
Four Friends for £92
Under 16s Go Free
Under 26s Go Free
Opening Night: Tue 24 October – All seats £10.00 (no cons)
How do I book tickets to watch Constant Companions?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
Constant Companions will be running until Saturday, 4 November 2023 with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £2 charge on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
About Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. By 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help deliver this vision.
About Stephen Joseph Theatre
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is an independent theatre and cinema based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Their home is a beautifully-restored 1930s Odeon cinema, home to our famous theatre-in-the-round which was the first of its kind in the world. The Round provides a truly unique experience as the audience is seated all around the stage. Not only does the audience see the performance from every angle, it also brings the actor into the same space as the audience.
About Alan Ayckbourn
Alan Ayckbourn became the first British playwright to receive both Olivier and Tony Special Lifetime Achievement Awards. Constant Companions brings together the characteristic humour and compassion Ayckbourn is known for to create a thought-provoking and entertaining show which says so much about both the present and the future.
Keeping you safe
To help you enjoy your visit, the New Vic has put measures in place to help all visitors feel as comfortable as possible:
- Please feel free to wear a face covering while at the New Vic, when walking around the venue and during the performance.
- They ask all guests to be mindful of fellow audience members when at the theatre, who may prefer to continue to keep a distance from other theatregoers while in their spaces.
- They have hand sanitiser stations positioned around the theatre, free to use by all. They are maintaining their high levels of cleanliness throughout the building, ensuring all spaces and contact surfaces are regularly sanitised.
Feeling unwell? If you, or a member of your party, are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 prior to your visit, they politely ask you do not attend the theatre. If this is the case, please speak to a member of their box office team who will be able to talk you through options to exchange your tickets.
You may also want to read this:
Review: Alice in Wonderland at the New Vic Theatre
Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Adapted for New Vic Theatre
Review: Sunny Side Up at New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/Tony Bartholomew
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
32 comments
I am very intrigued by this play. It’s not often that you see a stage play tackling sci-fi themes like this. VERY cool!
I agree, something so different, yet so entertaining
This is awesome! I NEVER see sci-fi stuff on stage like this. I have to watch it. This is my favorite kind of thing.
Hope you do get the chance
It sounds like this play has quite a different story line and it sounds interesting. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed watching this. The Ai side does sound a bit scary.
Yes very unique story indeed
What a diffeerent type of play, and I will admit it is not a play I would have considered before reading your review
I was not too sure how it would be, but really enjoyed it
Sounds like this play is awesome. Reading this makes me more interested in these.
An incredible play and fabulous cast as well
Oh this is the first play I’ve heard of which features AI. Such an interesting concept, I’d love to see this x
I hope you do get the chance to see it
Attending the opening night of Alan Ayckbourn’s “Constant Companions” at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme sounds like a truly enjoyable experience! The play’s exploration of the human mind and emotions in a world co-inhabited by AI robots offers a thought-provoking theme. Your description of the unique theatre-in-the-round setup at the New Vic and the seamless transitions between interwoven scenes is fascinating. It’s evident that the play and its production left a memorable impression. Thanks for sharing this theatrical journey!
You are welcome
Certainly looks like an entertaining piece! I have a lot of respect too for the actors and stage crew for keeping the energy going for such a long show. That’s so awesome!
Thank you, more people should support the local theatres
This sounds like my kind of theater production. I like the plot of this; it sounds unique and interesting. I wish this was a bit closer to me!
The plot was amazing, something so different yet relatable in our modern world
I love your theatre reviews and the actors here had worked so hard. It looks so good. All the artists have done so well.
I agree, they are so talented and work super hard
One more new theater production you’ve been to! It’s amazing how theater-going changes our lives. Beautiful pictures, very expressive.
Absolutely! A great way to support local theatre/actors and have an entertaining night
thanks for sharing this play here, I wish I can watch it as from the storyline, it’s my thing to watch it. totally can resonate the scary part of AI replacement human perhaps in near future
It was one show worth watching, I totally enjoyed it
Great review! Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Constant Companions’ at New Vic Theatre sounds like a must-see. Thanks for sharing the excitement!
A must-see indeed, such a lovely evening out
It sounds like a great play! I wish we had it near me!
I am sure they will tour again
It’s wonderful to read about the engaging performances of the actors, from Andy Cryer’s portrayal of a lonely singleton navigating the world of AI robots to Richard Stacey’s hilarious depiction of JAN60.
Such an entertaining performance, one worth watching
Oh wow the idea of having an AI girlfriend is such a futuristic one – sounds like a very interesting performance. Thank you for sharing your review!
You are welcome and yes very futuristic indeed