Relatively Speaking
Written by: Alan Aykbourn
Director John Remfry
Relatively speaking concerns two couples, one young and one middle-aged, each containing one
unfaithful partner. Greg wants to marry Ginny, who has only recently broken off an affair with her boss,
Philip. Ginny goes down to Philip’s country home to get back some love letters, after telling Greg that she
is going to visit her parents. Greg follows her secretly, and for the rest of the afternoon we have the two
couples assembled in Philip’s garden. Greg believes that Philip is Ginny’s father and that Philip’s wife,
Sheila, is Ginny’s mother. Philip mistakenly gets the idea that Greg is having an affair with Sheila, and
Sheila is led to believe that Ginny is nothing more than her husband’s secretary. The situation becomes
increasingly complicated and hilarious.
Modelled roughly on that most perfect of all well-made comedies, The Importance of Being Earnest by
Oscar Wilde, Relatively Speaking is still considered by many critics to be Ayckbourn’s best crafted piece.
The writing is stylish and witty, with a comic sense springing from a very penetrating observation of
character. The revelation of the real nature of the relationships is a fascinating satire on middle-class
English life.
Ron Handford - Stage Manager
Keith Ainsworth- Stage hand
Max Barclay - Stage hand
John Watson - Sound
Arthur Plumpton - Lighting
Murray Whittaker - Properties
Kate Remfry - Wardrobe
Anthony Gray - Philip
Jill Payne - Sheila
Sian Murray - Ginny
Alisdair - Greg
John Remfry - Director