Review: Season’s Greetings at New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme*

Season’s Greetings first premiered at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the round in 1980 and was such a success that it was revived the following year.  Now after 39 years, the Alan Ayckbourn production returns to New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.  We were invited to the press night and what an experience it was!  The actors were all amazingly accomplished and played their part to perfection and even stayed in character despite the distractions from the audience as we laughed out so loud. It is a true classic which is so relevant to most families (if not all) whereby ideas, personalities and characters clash when a family is stuck together for days and there is excessive alcohol involved. If you think your family Christmas dinner is bad, you need to watch this!

The play shares the story of a dysfunctional family getting together on Christmas eve and as you can expect, all hell will break loose.  The play starts off with Neville played by Matt Adis and Belinda played by Frances Marshall hosting their extended family over a long weekend.   Both Neville and Belinda are your ordinary married couple but they seem to be drifting away due to Neville’s love for gadgets and his lack of attention to Belinda.  Joining them at the gathering is none other than two tyrannical uncles – Bernard played by Leigh Symonds, whose annual puppet shows are a source of dread to young and old alike (which got the audience in hysterics and definitely the highlight for us) and TV addict Harvey played by Bill Champion  – promises to stir up trouble from the start. And that’s before you add to the mix guest novelist Clive played by Andy Cryer, an aspiring novelist whose relationship with Belinda’s sister Rachel played by Rachel Caffrey is going nowhere, causing him to look for love elsewhere.   The addition of Eddie, best friend and ex-employee of Neville played by Michael Lyle and his heavily pregnant wife, Pattie played by Mercy Ojelade was truly entertaining as well.  Finally, Bernard’s wife Phyllis is played by Eileen Battye an accident-prone alcoholic who is in charge of cooking the Christmas meal.

There has not been a show which we have been to New Vic where we came out feeling disappointed! Season’s Greetings is no different as the production was amazing!  One of the benefits of having the theatre in the round means that the cast could fully utilise every nook and corner of the theatre including the upstairs and downstairs staircase to give the feel of a house.  I have to add that I did feel a little uncomfortable when some of the dialogue exchange took place, but I also found myself laugh unstoppably at other times, which reminds me of Ayckbourn’s style of writing.

The actors who stood out for me the most had to be Frances and Mercy whose facial expression and body language made their characters so believable.  Although the props were minimal, kudos to the team for their clever use of lighting and designing the hall, sitting room and part of the dining room which was all laid beautifully.  There was also a lighted up Christmas tree and presents positioned at the bottom of the stairs next to the coat hanger. Jolly Christmas themed tune played at the start and during scene changes, setting the right feel for the performance ….making this a must-watch show especially if you are a fan of Ayckbourn.

CAST

Matt Addis               Neville
Frances Marshall   Belinda, His Wife
Eileen Battye           Phyllis, His Sister
Bill Champion       Harvey, His Uncle
Leigh Symonds      Bernard, Phyllis’s Husband
Rachel Caffrey        Rachel, Belinda’s Sister
Michael Lyle           Eddie
Mercy Ojelade        Pattie, Eddie’s Wife
Andy Cryer               Clive

CREATIVES

Written and directed by: Alan Ayckbourn
Designer: Kevin Jenkins
Lighting Designer: Jason Taylor
Casting Director: Sarah Hughes CDG

Here’s the trailer for Season’s Greetings:

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £15.50 to £24.50 (concessions available). A transaction fee of £1.00 per ticket applies when booking online.

How do I book tickets to watch Season’s Greetings?

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?

The show will continue until Saturday, 26 October 2019. Evening shows are at 7.30pm (with a running time of 2 hours and 15 minutes including interval) while matinee shows will be at 2.15pm.  Please check the New Vic Theatre’s website for full details on timings.

Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?

New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG

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 Stephen Joseph Theatre

This was founded in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, as The Library Theatre by theatre pioneer Stephen Joseph as the UK’s first professional theatre-in-the-round company in 1955. Two years later, Alan Ayckbourn joined the company which he has been associated with ever since and which has had a profound effect on his life and professional theatre career.  Here Alan Ayckbourn took his first steps as a professional writer and director and it is where the vast majority of his plays have premiered. Between 1972 and 2009, he was the Artistic Director and continues to enjoy a close association with the company.  This section of the website offers an insight into the playwright’s ‘home’ theatre from 1955 to the present day. It provides a historical context to the theatre and its founder, Stephen Joseph, which so have been so pivotal in Alan’s life.

Things to note: 

The New Vic welcomes all customers and is committed to providing access to the arts for all, which includes:

• Free parking close to the theatre entrance for Blue Badge holders (reserve a space with the box office)

• The Theatre Cafe is open everyday serving homemade food, opening times ate 10am – 3.30pm, and 5.30pm – 7.30pm

•  Sweets & Ices are located in the downstairsfoyer opposite the Box Office

• All smoke effects in New Vic productions are safe and non-toxic

•  You can pre-order your interval drinks at the bar using the slip provided to avoid the queues. The bar opening times are 12pm – 2pm and 5.30pm – 11pm

• Should you need to leave the auditorium during the performance, you may be asked to wait until a suitable break before you can be readmitted

• Automatic doors and level access into the foyer, ramped access to the auditorium on the ground floor and lift access to the first floor

• Wheelchair spaces on both the ground and first floor

• Disabled toilets on both levels

• An induction loop system (not available for amplified performances and an infrared-assisted hearing system)

• Baby-changing facilities

• Assistance dogs are welcome and water will be provided (if you wish to take your dog into the auditorium, let the box office know when booking)

• Sign language-interpreted, audio-described performances are available, please check the website for more details

Photo credit: New Vic Theatre /  Tony Bartholomew

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* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.