Absent Friends examines the relationships and problems of a circle of friends, consisting of three couples and a bereaved fiancé. The entire play is set in real time in the 
lounge of one of the couple’s houses. Not an immediate recipe for laughs, then... however, this is an Alan Ayckbourn play. Written in 1974, hard on the heels of The Norman Conquests trilogy, Absent Friends represented a serious change of gear for Ayckbourn, treading far darker terrain than his previous output. However, the hallmarks of Ayckbourn's work remain. Based on a knowing commentary on the English suburban middle class, the play cleverly combines comedy with a tragic undertow, building to a traumatic conclusion.
Diana, trapped in an unhappy marriage to Paul, has arranged a tea party for Colin, whose fiancé has recently drowned. Of the rest of the group, only Marge (whose husband is permanently in absentia) is supportive. Paul and the remaining couple, Evelyn and John begrudgingly go along with the arrangement.
While the party is ostensibly for Colin’s benefit & support, the period awaiting his arrival (most of the first Act) exposes the unhappiness within the three couples. When Colin does arrive, it's quickly apparent he is the most content and well-balanced of the group. Explaining how happy he was with the deceased Carol, and how he remains so with her presence and a photo album of memories, other characters’ issues are thrown into ever sharper relief. Colin's attempts to hold a mirror up to the others to show them how happy t
hey ‘should’ be acts as a catalyst for all the pain and anger to pour out. He eventually leaves the house in a state of social meltdown, with the main victim of the situation being Diana, who breaks down uncontrollably, realising her life has become a charade - her youthful dream of joining the Canadian Mounted Police unfulfilled, replaced with an uncaring, unfaithful husband, and two sons who have been despatched to boarding school.
While there are virtually no overt references to the 1970’s in the script, the sets and costumes are a perfect reconstruction of 1974, further accentuating the contrast between the flamboyant decor, clothes and aspirational lifestyles with chaotic relationships within the group.
The six-strong cast are all incredibly good. Abigail Thaw’s Diana is one of the best performances I can remember seeing at Watford, and in one of the best productions. It’s an intelligent play, and while it demands full concentration, it’s also terrifically easy to enjoy. Everything is approached with just the right touch. The slightly farcical pieces are played with real style and verve to create a fine balance with the sad aspects of the characters' lives, and the audience showed its appreciation all through the evening.
Incredibly, this is the first production of Absent Friends in the South since its first run at the Garrick in 1975. An inspired choice by Watford Palace - highly recommended.
Photos by Manuel Harlan
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