An amusing play from Seagull Productions, A Day To Remember, written and directed by Jessica Bailey and Dru Davison, throws a light-hearted spotlight on one couple’s 10th anniversary plans.
Ray and Debbie, a middle-aged couple, run a corner shop. She longs for a romantic getaway from the everyday routine, but the best he can come up with is Birmingham. As friends family, customers and a new employee enter and exit the shop, each new vignette adds an additional level of complication to their plans.
I enjoyed the performances of Edwin Castellanos and Jasmine Woodard-Harris as the bickering couple, although on this recording she can sound a little shrill at times. Christin Prustel also excels as a peacemaking drag artist who quickly develops a sisterly bond with Debbie.
Elsewhere, Josh Rosenthal stepped it to cover a couple of parts set for Anisa Ghaseni, and Israel Kayode offered contrast in a couple of tightly drawn parts. Shreena Belle and Harry Lake gave diverting comedy turns.
The constant in and out of a shop day added contrast and colour to the marriage on show, while Bailey and Davison’s writing was believable even in the most outrageous of situations.
In a set designed to represent a counter and snack stock, all that was missing was a local shop doorbell and the old school grabbing gadget. But family conflict, suspicion, and routine frustration all came across well.
A Day To Remember is a funny set of sketches about just where to go on holiday for that special time together. It might benefit from a bit more farce or character development, but there’s a lot of talent on display.
Although it has finished its run at The Space, you can find out more about A Day To Remember and Seagull Productions on their website.
4 stars.