Confusions

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Confusions is a play by Alan Ayckbourn consisting of a series of five interconnected one-act plays. It was first staged in 1976 and played by just five actors. The scenes are all loosely linked by characters or locations, but more subtly through the common underlying themes of obsession, isolation and human desire for companionship. Ayckbourn is essentially a chornicler and editor of human behaviour. He juxtaposes the thoughts and dialogue of his characters in order to portray a faithful record of their lives. This is not a random exercise but the product of a process of sensitive selection on his part. We are invited to become eavesdroppers on people and situations which are carefully orchestrated with delicate theatrical ingenuity. These painstakingly created suburban problems displayed on the stage for our benefit thus take on a greater significance. They become capable of being transformed into symbols of universal insecurities and anxieties. They are Hamlet's "mirror held up to nature" reflecting, through comedy and farce, the often tragic undertones of our contemporary society.

Mother Figure A very strange household where mother Lucy treats everyone like children. With the absence of her husband she is left to cope with the up keeping of the house and the upbringing of their children. Lucy ignores bells and phones and her husband becomes worried sending Rosemary and Terry the next door neighbours to check on her. They are treated like children and by the time they leave Lucy has managed to control them

Drinking Companions Ageing travelling salesman Harry tries to flirt with perfume saleswoman Paula. Paula makes the most of the free drinks Harry is providing until friend Bernice approaches and tries to get her to leave. Harry gives Paula his room key in obvious hope and persists to flirt and also trying his look with Bernice. Eventually the women become quite dominant that they must leave so Harry goes to get them a taxi, whilst he is gone the two women escape leaving the key with a waiter.

Between Mouthfuls' Two couples at adjoining restaurant tables realise an unwelcome common bond, assisted by an interactive waiter. Mrs Pearce wonders who Mr Pearce is sleeping with. Polly's not been frank to Martin. The waiter is extremely well spoken. There's clever direction of the alternation between the two sets of conversations. A twist to the plot-line spices the ending.

Gosforth's Fete Publican Gosforth is running the village gala. Due to a big mistake bad personal news from Milly Carter is publicised over the public-address system. Milly’ fiance Stewart Stokes becomes extremely aggravated and drowns his sorrows with alcohol. Councillor Mrs Pearce, after the most disorganised greeting is electrocuted by the PA system. Gosforth's Fete starts like all village fetes do. However it develops into chaos and as things continue to go wrong the play climaxes to a complete disaster

A Talk in the Park Five strangers all decide to share their life story to the unlucky person next to them on the park bench. However no body wants to listen but they all have a problem they continue to try and share. The result of this is a never ending cycle of people getting annoyed, moving to the next bench and beginning to annoy the person their sat with until that person moves.