Review: The Empty Nester's Club by John Godber
Wed 15th June 2016
An internet search for a definition of ‘Empty Nest’ syndrome lead to a plethora of American websites advertising the benefits of joining a self-help club to alleviate the feelings of emptiness or even depression when one or more children leave home to go to university. There is one Empty Nester’s Club in Yorkshire – not in East Yorkshire, though – which has identified the syndrome as being even more acute nowadays when parents and offspring are so closely connected by social media.
John Godber’s observational plays are always ‘on the nail’ when he has personal experience of the issue he is writing about; as a drama teacher, ‘Teechers’ was able to draw on school life in a way no other play about school-teachers has, and this play has used his first-hand experience of his daughter Martha Godber, leaving for The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. But this play resonates with the audience, too, in that it is witty and thought-provoking and draws it in to create an emotional response that can result in laughter followed by tears, almost within the same sentence.
Its dialogue is probably so good because it is delivered by Mr. Godber’s own wife (Jane Thornton) as Mum, Vicky Barrett, and daughter Martha as Mollie. In some ways, it would have been nice if John himself had played Dad; that role is taken by the very consummate Rob Angell as Phil.
The play is a work-in-progress so changes may be made before it sets off on a national tour early next year. One of those changes would be to rename it ‘The Empty Nesters’ Club’ rather than the singular ‘Nester’s’ as it is at the moment. The story concerns Vicky, who is in a village hall decorated with Tour de Yorkshire bunting and Union Jacks to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, getting ready to welcome members to the new club; there is no suggestion that she is the only member, hence the placing of the apostrophe is confusing!
Vicky debates with herself how she could best describe the relationship she and her husband have with their daughter and how much they are going to miss her to her club members. Some of the stories are played out with Dad and daughter, although the small stage does mean the scenes are mostly static. Both Mum and Dad are highly intelligent – although some of their antics would suggest they are just over-concerned parents. For example, Mum is quite nervous about addressing a group of strangers so she takes a bottle of wine, meant as a raffle prize, to give her some Dutch courage. She ends up drinking the whole bottle and getting quite tipsy!
When daughter wins a place at Oxford, Vicky and Phil are, of course, incredibly proud - and understandably flabbergasted when Millie turns it down in favour of UCL! They keep closely in touch with Millie when she goes to London through social media. This is when the naturally-talented Martha Godber come into her own – and does create some movement!
With a running time of 75 minutes, this play is never boring or without a clever quip. The first-night audience were very appreciative and, although you can see the twist coming, it is one which reflects real life. Kids go to university – but most of them end up coming back afterwards! A logical companion piece to the Empty Nesters’ Club would be one for people whose children just never seem to want to leave home!
The play runs until June 25th at the East Riding Theatre.
