Review: Staying Afloat, The Pegg Theatre – ‘Full of heart and soul’

A tiny room is decorated with two deck chairs, a small bar and the front facade of a pool. Lights dapple the floor like sunshine and sounds of seagulls and wave gently crashing waves fill the room.

We’re at the Hotel Del Recuerdos, your typical haunt that fills with a a herd of loud and obnoxious Brits yearly – think Benidorm.

Hotel owner Bill attempts to slither his way into couple Michelle’s and Terry’s marriage

Couple Michelle and Terry, played by Grace McGee and Andrew Graham, are seemingly desperate to have one last family holiday “just like old times”.

Michelle is vivacious and outgoing; she is brighter than the sun and panders for the attention of Terry. But he is oblivious, too comfortable even.

She attempts to draw his attention way from the book he’s writing, to no avail, preferring to immerse his attention elsewhere.

It soon becomes clear in hushed tones and daggered looks, that something isn’t quite right; they’re here for another reason.

Bill has taken over the hotel from his brother, much to the detriment of the hotel’s finances

Then swings in the debonair Scotsman, Bill (James Ogilvie). Transfixed by Michelle, he begins crooning Lady in Red.

He’s here to take advantage of Terry’s oversight and sweep Michelle off her feet, so it seems.

Bill owns the Hotel Del Recuerdos and his relationship with the couple goes back years. He has even taken on the couple’s daughter, Phillipa (Abby Marles) as one of the Tiny Tots entertainers.

Phillipa isn’t best pleased by her parents’ impromptu visit. She’s much more like Terry, conservative with her emotions, and everything her mum does embarrasses her.

A pair of opposites, Michelle chooses to mask her feelings below her bubbly exterior.

Michelle and Terry fight over when to reveal to their daughter the real agenda for their trip.

He wants it over and done with, preferring to over-intellectualise every situation, engage in deep prose and philosophical musings to avoid connecting with those around him and facing his feelings head on.

She, meanwhile, wants to hold onto a few more precious moments, indulging in happy memories as she plays tapes of their previous trips.

Based on the constant bickering between the couple, by the time they do sit her down, even Phillipa is expecting the announcement of a divorce, but that’s not what happens.

Staying Afloat – photo: Bristol Spotlights

As the narrative unfolds, it seems that Michelle is the glue every family needs. She forgoes her own feelings to make others happy, allowing others to trivialise her passion and energy for life but, while continuing to live it regardless.

By the end, her quiet strength and empathy endears those closest to her and fortifies their relationships, in spite of their challenges.

The writing and direction does well never to dwell in the sorrowful moments, ensuring that each scene is tempered with a silly gag or a burst of slapstick to keep the pacing measured.

The lack of technical lighting, or props that might initially fill you with dread at the sight of, would be a mere distraction in this play. Quite rightly, it’s the acting that shines brightest.

Staying Afloat is a play full of heart and soul, and each member of the cast inhabits their roles as if they were mirror images of themselves.

Staying Afloat is at The Pegg Theatre from January 23-25 at 7pm, with an additional 1.45pm matinee show on Saturday. Tickets are available at www.uobtheatre.com.

All photos: Bristol Spotlights

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