Party Season - Royal Theatre, Northampton

It's Party Season at the Royal Theatre in Northampton this week. If you thought adult parties are hard work, just wait until you have to navigate three children’s parties in one weekend!

The kids are in the ball pit; the Entertainer is blowing bubbles; the adults gobble Perelló olives and pretend to like each other.  As ancient grudges rear their heads, the tension rises like a helium balloon.  Caught between who he was and who he’s supposed to be, Xander must decide whether he’s going to grow up or just pass the parcel.

I loved this play.  It gives Abigail’s Party vibes with a modern twist for parents who have to interact with other children’s parents but don’t really like them. Its about playing the game. Do you want to play?

Poor Xander.  His wife is out on a jolly for work while he is left having a three-party weekend, the last party is his own son, Felix’s that he needs to organise.  Xander is played by Tom England and we can all empathise with him over what on the surface seems to be an easy ask but in reality, is a minefield of party etiquette and Xander doesn’t quite know the rules to play by.  Tom is excellent in portraying Xander as someone way out of his depth. And I bet he wishes he hadn’t joined the What’s App group after too many beers and accidentally saying something he shouldn’t.

Celia and David are the perfect middle class couple.  They have just redesigned their house, their kitchen has an aga, and they don’t really want their son, Aonghus who at five years old is a model, to play with ‘tat’ presents.  They have timed their party to perfection.  They know what every child is doing and when.  Celia is played by Jesse Meadows and she is absolutely outstanding in the role.  Funny, yet snide and has a way of looking down on people while being sweet.  Totally passive aggressive and Jesse absolutely nailed her.  I guarantee we have all known someone like her.  You won’t be surprised to hear that Celia is chair of the PTA.  Her husband David is played by Ben Vardy and he is her perfect partner.  He challenges himself when running to beat his own personal best, drinks craft beers and although doesn’t seem under the thumb, Celia is most definitely in control.  

Fowzia Madar plays Bea, who is hosting the second party for her daughter Mia.  Bea is much more easy-going and just lets the kids be kids.  She still has a lot of her parents’ possessions in her home and funnily enough, she knows Xander from when he was simply Alex at school.  Something happened and although we don’t quite work it out, Xander feels ashamed of his old life and the fact they used to know each other.  And this is the crux of the show. Xander is trying so hard to be a ‘somebody’ that he has forgotten what’s important - Family.  He has issues with his dad who was an Entertainer.  The end of the show sees Xander having to address those issues with his dad about who he really is and what is important, which leaves the audience contemplating the same.  

There is so much to enjoy in this show that runs straight through with no interval. James Newton plays the entertainer and opens the show with his performance breaking the fourth wall.  He is very funny and tells dad jokes which is totally my cup of tea.  His name is N. Tertainer. I loved that play on words which could easily be out of The Two Ronnies.  Jacade Simpson plays Kane and he is Bea’s brother.  He is cool and single and boasts of being child free and getting up when he wants.  It’s brilliantly portrayed on stage.  I also enjoyed Kerry Lovell’s portrayal of Simone, a mother who is so tired she is like a zombie.  Such relatable characters within a show that is funny, profound and relevant to today’s society expectations.

Party Season is about the social minefields we navigate every day.  It’s the quiet competition of who’s doing life “best”.  It’s about the pressure to present a perfect version of yourself… and what happens when that version starts to crack.  This razor-sharp new comedy is at The Royal Theatre in Northampton this week and then continues its UK tour.

Audience Notices:

·         This production contains Strong Language, Use of Haze, Flashing Lights (no strobes) and Loud Noises throughout.

·         Pay what you can

·         Relaxed performance on Saturday 11 April at 2.30pm.  A great option for parents, with babes in arms welcome, and a more informal atmosphere designed to help audiences feel comfortable.  Relaxed performances are open to everyone.