By Alan Ayckbourn’s “How the Other Half Loves,” directed by Todd Nielson, is an innovative and bitter comedy that defies all principles of space and time.
“How the Other Half Loves,” presented by the International City Theatre, takes place in 1971. The story revolves around three married English couples, the Fosters, the Phillipses and the Detweilers. Ayckbourn’s use of the stage keeps the audience at full attention as the intertwined stories of these three couples unveil.
“Half” is the perfect word to describe the show because that is precisely what you get.
The stage is divided into two sets — the homes of two couples, the Fosters and the Phillipses.
Though the two couples are on stage at one time, the set is not confusing for viewers. It is obvious which parts of the décor belong to which couple because both are complete opposites.
The Fosters, played by DeeDee Rescher and Gregory North, were by far the most entertaining of the cast. Their onstage chemistry causes roars of laughter.
Fiona Foster is a “well-to-do,” sometimes snooty, traditional wife. She picks out the clothes, makes the meals and sets out the paper for her husband.
Frank Foster is a senile, forgetful and comical fool. His love and dependence on his wife is made clear in the first scene when he loses his toolbox, his briefcase and his toothbrush.
Though the duo seemingly have a routine that works, it is apparent that Fiona is bored and hiding something.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Phillips family, played by Adam Smith and Jodi Fleisher. They are sloppy, loud and outwardly bitter toward one another. Teresa Phillips wants more out of life than to sit on her “arse” at home like a “cow,” while the cynical Bob Phillips can’t wait for another chance to sneak away to the pub again.
Bob is also obviously hiding something and it becomes evident that Mr. Phillips and Mrs. Foster are having an affair. The two make a secret telephone call to one another in which they both come up with a phony story to tell their spouses regarding where they were last night.
The story: The Detweilers’ marriage is falling apart because of a torrid affair and they needed someone to talk to, but no one else must know.
The problem: Mr. Foster has invited them over for dinner on Thursday night and Mrs. Phillips has invited them over for dinner on Friday night to help mediate the Detweilers’ marital emergency.
The Detweilers, played by James May and Erin Anne Williams, are a visibly nervous couple. Mr. Detweiler is constantly fearful of disappointing his boss, Mr. Foster, while Mrs. Detweiler looks as though she is going to break at any moment from pure social panic. However, they are not having an affair, which leads them to be unsure as to why both the Fosters and the Phillipses have asked them to dinner.
With every unsuspecting twist and turn, the story unfolds and each of the characters’ lives become more connected and entangled with lies.
“How the Other Half Loves” is eye-wateringly witty. It takes the common plot of marital crisis and turns it into a hilarious narrative shown in the most inventive way.
The show runs from April 29 to May 23 at the International City Theatre located at 300 East Ocean Blvd. Ticket prices range from $32 to $42.
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