Confusions is a group of three short plays by Alan Ayckbourn and will be performed at Titchfield Festival Theatre from 6 – 11 November 2023. 

Confusions is a series of three interconnected one-act plays: Mother Figure, Between Mouthfuls and Gosforth’s Fete. It is vintage comedy from one of Britain’s foremost comedy playwrights: sharp, at times farcical – and very funny.

Each play deals with the common themes of loneliness and relationships. The characters and their conflicts are immediately recognisable and applicable to everyday lives, and each play can leave those watching to question their own lives and relationships.

The scenes are all loosely linked by characters or locations, but more subtly through the common underlying themes of obsession, isolation and human desire for companionship.

From a devoted mother meeting her well-meaning neighbours, to a solicitous waiter dealing with some well-heeled diners, to an utterly shambolic garden fete, the plays show human fragility as one hilarious situation after another unfolds. It promises a hilarious and fun-filled evening – bite sized comedy after a summer of spectacular productions and before the TFT Christmas blockbusters.

In between rehearsals for Confusions, Simon Frost talked to director Jane Atkinson about the play. In October 2022 Jane directed La Cage Aux Folles and the 2022 winner of the TFT New Plays competition, Taking Liberties this January.

Simon: Alan Ayckbourn is one the UK's most celebrated comedy playwrights. What is it like to be directing one of his plays - and why did you choose Confusions?

Jane: I enjoy directing comedy and Confusions is very funny. The characters are recognisable stereotypes in realistic and difficult situations, all of which can go wrong in spectacular ways - and they do!

Simon: Why do you enjoy Alan Ayckbourn's work? Please give me an example of an aspect that you find especially entertaining or appealing.

Jane: Confusions is actually a suite of three plays which are loosely connected but each one is a hugely entertaining standalone comedy.

Simon: How many actors will perform in the roles? Will the cast take on multiple characters?

Jane: Some roles could be doubled up as there is a connection between the plays. I have chosen to present each play individually to take advantage of the huge pool of talent at TFT. The total cast is 13 with only one character who appears in more than one play.   

Simon: Can you give me any examples of what you are looking for in one or two of the principal roles?

Jane: I am looking for excellent comic timing and delivery to take advantage of the farcical style of the plays, particularly Gosforth’s Fete which, if played well, descends quickly into chaos. Anyone who has tried to run a summer fete will recognise all the things which could go wrong, which do go wrong, and a few unexpected surprises!

Simon: One review I read said that this play, Confusions, could be notoriously tricky to perform (and presumably direct!). Why do you think this is - and how will you address it?

Jane: Confusions can be tricky because like any comedy needs a lot of attention to detail, particularly Between Mouthfuls but with a group of great actors it is very funny - a good belly-laugh as situations get out of control and descend into farce.

Simon: Finally, why should the audience come along and watch the play? What will they particularly enjoy?

Jane: Confusions is hugely entertaining and very watchable!

Thank you, Jane and good luck, with the play.

Confusions performs from 6 – 11 November 2023 in the Oak Theatre, St Margarets Lane, Titchfield. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.