Danielle (Kennise Watson) makes an advance at Richard (Cleve Warren) in 'Family Affair'. - Contributed photos

Green Gables Theatre is known as the place for plays rooted in humour, mixed styles, bawdy language and, at times, fine acting. There is also the occasional display of weak or poorly developed stories. Irrespective of titles, cast and crew, the Jamaican theatre audience can rest assured they will not be short-changed on humour. This Half-Way Tree-based theatre house is the venue for another such play, Family Affair, written by Cameron Anderson (aka Douglas Prout). The director is Gracia Thompson.

On Sunday, The Gleaner saw Family Affair. Like other plays of the same ilk, the emphasis was on generating maximum laughter. With four characters, Richard and Brooklyn Dixon, their son, Vivian, and Danielle Lloyd, a schizophrenic, some of man's foibles were revealed and the audience revelled in it. But alas, the message was stifled and the story trotted at a slow pace.

The play picks up the story with Richard ending a 19-month affair with Danielle to go back to his recovering alcoholic wife, Brooklyn. But Danielle will not accept it. Instead, she initiates a relationship with Richard's unsuspecting son, Vivian, and, ultimately, Brooklyn. The relationships give Danielle access to the Dixons' house, much to Richard's dismay. But things get ugly when Vivian proposes to Danielle and Richard is forced to confess his infidelity, as Danielle resorts to violence.

Compensation for flawed script

The director and actors compensated for the flawed script to some extent. Using two settings, the living/dining area of the Dixons' house (the primary setting) and an office, Thompson was skilful in manipulating the small stage. Entrances and exits were well defined; likewise, there were some creative blockings and well-timed actions, which had the audience keeling over with laughter. The director's blotch, however, came in the form of Cleve Warren (Richard), whose bombastic acting style contrasted with the other three actors' (Kennise Watson, Maxwell Woodham and Suzette Barrett) realistic style.

Woodham (Vivian) and Barrett (Brooklyn) displayed good understanding of their respective characters and their performances reinforced the comedic genre. Watson was incredible. She played the tortured, schizophrenic Danielle with conviction, at times switching from one personality to the other in the same speech. However, Warren's continuous jabbering with the audience was rather disconcerting. His articulation was poor and each jibe at the audience resulted in either loud laughter or an annoying response from the audience, compounding his speech problem.

On the technical side, the set was functional. The main set being five doors standing guard over a brownish-coloured sofa placed stage right, balanced by a dinette set placed stage left. But while the set seemed to be restricted by space, there was no restriction on costumes. Each appearance brought on a well-chosen, well-tailored costume that was pleasing to the eyes.

Family Affair is definitely the play to see if you have no qualms about productions that have strong sexual overtones and you just want to laugh uncontrollably. But leave the children at home, as while the title may include 'family', this isn't the stuff for 'little Bobby'.

Vivian (Max Woodham) gets some advice from his mother Brooklyn (Suzette Barrett) in 'Family Affair', playing at Green Gables Theatre.