BEDROOM FARCE

 

Written by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Aarne Neeme

Canberra REP production

Canberra REP Theatre, Acton to 7 March

 

Reviewed by Len Power 20 February 2026

 

Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Bedroom Farce’ was first performed in 1975 at the height of his most successful period of commercial success in England. He has written over 90 plays of which more than 40 have been produced in London’s West End.

In the play, three very different couples are seen in their bedrooms on a particular evening – an elderly couple preparing to go to their wedding anniversary dinner at a favourite restaurant, a couple who enjoy practical jokes preparing to host a party and a third couple who have been invited to that party but only the wife can attend because her husband is in bed with a bad back. A fourth unhappily married young couple also invited to the party will create a night of memorable chaos involving all three of those couples.

This play shows Ayckbourn at his best, commenting on the foibles of human behaviour and marriage in a very recognizable way. We all know people like this. Director, Aarne Neeme has ensured that the individual characters of the play are grounded in reality, allowing the humour to flow naturally.

Pat Gallagher (Ernest) and Sally Reinveld (Delia)

There is fine work from each of the performers. Pat Gallagher and Sally Rynveld are very effective as a couple who have been together for a long time and are aware of each other’s faults while managing to remain close. Rob de Fries and Azerie Cromhout are very funny as a couple where he is unwell and needy while she is not as sympathetic as he would like.

Antonia Kitzel (Kate) and Lachlan Abrahams (Malcolm)

Lachlan Abrahams and Antonia Kitzel deftly capture the fun of a practical joking couple as well as their growing frustration as their evening is ruined. James Grudnoff and Lara Connolly give fine characterizations of a warring married couple who go through life selfishly unaware of their impact on others.

Rob de Fries (Nick) and James Grudnoff (Trevor)

Andrew Kay’s striking set design of three bedrooms side by side cleverly shows aspects of each of the characters and the costume designs by Cate Clelland suit each of the characters perfectly.

This is a very funny play about recognizable married couples which has not dated at all. You might even see yourselves on that stage.

 

Photos by Cathy Breen

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.