The Good Life - Altrincham Garrick

I WAS still a kid when the original sitcom was on our TV screens, and it always struck me as a comedy for the grown ups, set in suburbia where people went to dinner parties and husbands made frequent visits to the golf course.

But at school many of us had a crush on Felicity Kendal, who played Barbara Good, who, urged by her fed up husband Tom, decide to leave the rat race and chose a life of self sufficiency instead.

This was pretty ground breaking for the mid 70’s.

I’m an adult now and can appreciate just how good The Good Life is, even if a certain amount of the humour in this stage version doesn’t appeal to me.

Director Daniel Ellis must have thought all his birthdays had come at once when the first rehearsal took place and I am sure needed little convincing the likes of Robert Crumpton and Helen Swain, who played Tom and Barbara, and Laura Aremia and Adam Green, as their next door neighbours Margot and Jerry, wouldn’t have to ttry at all to tickle the audience’s funny bone.

Aremia in particular made a huge impression on me as the bossy snob Margot, making sure her hen packed hubby Jerry is kept well and truly under the thumb. Not that I should have been too surprised, bearing in mind she’s the daughter of the late Terry Chandler, whose work at the Garrick gave me so much pleasure over the years.

A classic caase of talent in the genes for me.

The appearance of Geraldine the Goat very nearly brought the house down when she appeared for the first time on stage and made an equally large comedic impression when she appears later in the play.

All this begs the question as to why a production of this quality didn’t play to a packed house on Monday night, especially when you consider how dire the TV is.

You’re sure to enjoy this slice of suburban silliness.

Until June 7. Tickets are available on 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star raring - ***

Photo by Martin Ogden.