My Night With Reg
by Kevin Elyot
My Night With Reg had 4 performances over 22 years ago (between the 17th of July 2002 and the 20th of July 2002) at The Riverhouse Barn
This play established its credentials in London where it won rave reviews and amongst others the 1995 Olivier Award for Best Comedy. Tragi-comedy would be a more apt description. While the three intermissionless scenes do indeed bubble with funny lines, it is the heart-wrenching moments that will stick in your memory long after the chuckles have subsided.
My Night With Reg is a closeup of six homosexual men living in London during the '80s, the onset of the AIDS crisis. Except for Eric, a handsome young working class stud, all the men are on the sunny side of 40 and trying to juggle their libidos and fears (about aging and, this being the age of AIDS, not aging) with their fidelity to friends and lovers. Like any family, this "family" tries to be there for each other for life's high points (the move to a new, charming flat) and low points (funerals). And like many families, they don't always know how to communicate with each other. Feelings that should be given voice are left unaired, and things best left unsaid are blurted out. Unlike other plays falling under the umbrella of "gay friends and lovers" Reg is less flamboyant and more universal.
This proved to be a challenging,entertaining and popular piece of theatre playing to full and appreciative audiences.
Directed by Colin Dolley, the cast includes Paul Marshall, Mark Humble, Philip Audaer, KEITH BOLLAND, Nick White and Iain Donaldson
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Guy - Paul Marshall |
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John - Mark Humble |
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Eric - Nick White |
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Daniel - Philip Audaer |
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Bernie - Keith Bollands |
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Benny - Iain Donaldson |
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Director - Colin Dolley |
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Lighting - Bill Payne |
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Stage Manager - Clare Pinnock |
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Stage Manager (assistant) - Ian Thomas |
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Sound - Ian Santry |
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Set Construction - Brian Walters |
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Photography - Brian Walters |
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Box Office Manager - Ann Philcox |
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Publicity - Anne Nunn |