REVIEW: Just Between Ourselves at the Everyman Theatre

Cheltenham

Tony Award-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn and London Classic Theatre bring us Just Between Ourselves, a dramatic look into the lives of two families, set over the course of five birthdays. Over-keen and jokey husband Dennis, played by Coronation Street’s Tom Richardson, plays the Del Boy to sell his outdated car to nervous Neil, played by Inside Balmoral’s Joseph Clowser. However, as Dennis’ sales pitch ramps up, the cracks start to show in this riveting portrayal of everyday suburban life.

 

 

Written in the 1970s, this play focuses on family drama and the toll it takes to keep yourself and your family functioning. Dennis shuts himself in his garage day after day, perhaps to shut out the requests of his long-suffering wife Vera, played beautifully by Killing Eve 2’s Holly Smith. Some of Dennis’ ‘jokes’ are mired in classic 1970s attitudes towards women, nitpicking Vera’s every move and bringing up her faults to perfect strangers. Hidden behind her blustering husband, Vera is the real star, holding herself together to keep her family happy, but is this the right thing to do? Is Dennis being genuinely oblivious, ignoring reality in hopes the issues will resolve themselves, or is there something deeper behind his joking, cheerful manner?

 

 

There’s a sadness at the heart of this play, as well as many other Ayckbourn plays, which include Absent Friends and Suburban Strains. However, the play also has plenty of comedy, with Dennis always trying to cheer everyone up, the hilarious antics of Dennis' mother and her interactions with others, and a joke reminiscent of the classic comedy Airplane! which had our audience roaring with laughter. The play goes by in the blink of an eye, extremely well-paced and acted, with powerhouse performances from Holly Smith and Tom Richardson.

 

Overall, this play was a blast from the past and a great time at the amazing Everyman Theatre. Just Between Ourselves is only playing at the Everyman Theatre until Saturday 12 July 2025, so book your tickets now!

Review by Leah.

 

For More Information & Tickets Click HERE

 

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