A Real Mess

A comedy by Alan Ayckbourn

Translated into German by Max Faber

Christmas is the festival of love – and family. So you put up with the eccentric old uncle, look forward to a few peaceful hours with your loved ones, and praise your sister’s dinner, even if it’s a complete disaster. You even patiently sit through the tedious puppet show that your brother-in-law puts on year after year, and, whilst you’re at it, you deny your own marital problems – the main thing is that it’s a harmonious celebration!

That’s the situation at Belinda and Neville’s house, where, as they do every year, they’ve invited family and friends round for this year’s Christmas celebrations. But Neville’s sister Phyllis once again has one too many whilst cooking, Uncle Harvey – the gun enthusiast – has no intention of keeping the peace, the puppet show turns into a disaster, and Belinda’s sister Rachel has invited a surprise guest without asking. Everything that can go wrong does – and it’s so funny precisely because the characters on stage are so true to life. And the family entanglements are so familiar to us. And only very slightly exaggerated by the author.

With *A Christmas Carol*, Alan Ayckbourn has written a comedy classic that hasn’t aged a bit, because it features characters and scenes whose humour stems from entirely everyday situations and annoyances. Sitting comfortably in your theatre seat, you can have a good laugh at the many family pitfalls on display here. Until, by the end, even the Christmas tree starts to wobble.

• Haus Görlitz, Main Hall
• Play