We have to admit that our production of Wildest Dreams by Alan Ayckbourn, was a real leap of faith. This is one of Ayckbourn’s least-known plays and most definitely one of his darkest. Yes, there are some comedy moments, but plenty of awkward ones too, which left some of the audience wondering if they should laugh or not.
Breakaway performed Wildest Dreams over six nights at The Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans from 31 January to 10 February 2024.
First performed in 1991, this “quirky” drama is about four misfits who meet to play the game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’. Married couple, Hazel and Stanley are drifting apart and things aren’t helped by Hazel’s dominating brother Austen, who shares their home. Other game participants are computer geek Warren and lonely Rick.
To the disparate group of four, Dungeons and Dragons is more than a game; it is a world where they can become beautiful, wise and heroic.
When attractive young Marcie bursts into their lives, and their game, she disrupts the cosy status quo with alarming, devastating and often funny results. Her interactions with each character reveal realities and complexities perhaps more fascinating than those of the characters they play.
By the end of the play they are all irrevocably transformed……or are they?
CAST
Hazel Inchbridge – Elaine Hartless
Stanley Inchbridge – Malcolm Coakley
Warren Wrigley – Joseph Smyth
Rick Toller – Clare Waller
Austen Skate – Jeff Best
Thelma Wrigley – Ruth Ling
Marcie Banks – Zara Radford
Larry Banks – Nazim Uddin
With the voices of Lesley Cowland & Richard Hartless as Pat Toller & Ken Martin
Directed by – Lesley Cowland
Production & Stage Manager – Richard Hartless
Stage Crew – Anne Hollis, Laura Levitt & Margie Skinner
Publicity Design – Elaine Hartless & Shelley Healy
GALLERY (Coming Soon)
Images by Tracey Bird @TBIRD.PHOTOGRAPHYS
REVIEWS
Herts Advertiser: “This is one of the best Breakaway productions I have seen.”
NODA: “a very good interpretation of a difficult play, with a good cast and Director. “
St Albans Times: “Wildest Dreams really is a fascinating play with some great individual performances.”
