The Anniversary
Garrick, London WC2
The Anniversary is a vehicle for Sheila Hancock. Bill MacIlwraith's black comedy, set in south London in 1966, makes for a slightly creaky ride - but with Hancock in the driving seat, no one will want to complain.
She plays 'Mum' - the mother-in-law from hell. It is the anniversary of Dad's death and Mum is throwing a family party. She is dressed to kill in fur and diamante - accessories include a glass eye. By the second half, she has evolved into a golden grotesque with a pirate's eye patch. Hancock's voice swerves comically: one moment she is caramel-tongued, the next she has lapsed into navvy-speak. No one has ever made the word 'dear' sound more vicious. She has a wonderful way of following toxic remarks with a perfunctory parody of contrition - very funny. And when she stands up to get the curtains in her orange lounge to close by remote control, it is with such an evil look on her face that you feel it will soon be 'curtains' for everyone.
Her sons, convincingly played by Tony Maudsley, John Marquez and Liam Garrigan, are all drips. The girls are gutsier. Madeleine Worrall is terrific as Shirley, the not-so-dumb blonde girlfriend. And Rosie Cavaliero's splendid Karen seethes through the evening, a daughter in-law who gives as bad as she gets. Director Denis Lawson knows how to throw a party.
