A Trip to Scarborough

Aside

Last Saturday we had another trip to Bath to see Alan Ayckbourn’s play, ‘A Trip to Scarborough’ which is based on R.B, Sheridan’s original play. We were told not to worry too much about the plot but just sit back and enjoy. This was good advice as there were three different time periods; the 18th century, WW2 and the present day – sometimes seeming to be happening at the same time. The 15 actors had three roles each and we understood why there was no information about scenes in the programme, as all the time scales merged seamlessly into each other.

It was all fairly chaotic and we felt bewildered by the interval but there was much to be enjoyed. The setting is the Royal Hotel, Scarborough and the two constants are the hall porters. The actors work extremely hard with all the costume and character changes and make the usual excellent Ayckbourn cast working as a first rate team. There’s a lovely bit where three chaps – in their cups become The Andrew Sisters.

There was a three piece band and I was thrilled to see Dennis King strumming. Anyone remember the King Brothers from the fifties? Dennis was the youngest and looked great. There was some singing and dancing and even a very moving moment when a young wife was told her fighter pilot husband was missing presumed…

You could tell when it was the present day with the constant use of ipods and mobile phones.

We had lunch at The Garrick’s Head – Bath Restaurant of the year 2007. I loved the mussels but I always prefer something sweet with pork although there was nothing wrong with the dish and the puds were great. A crisp sunny day and all in all, good fun.