No need to eat humble pie

 

Physicist Felix Humble (Simon Ginty) has come back to his middle England home following the unexpected death of his father, yet refuses to turn up to his funeral. Adding to his own difficulties in finding a unified field theory are his diva-like mother, her intruding lover and the girl he once forsook, as well as his own feelings of depression and futility. But over the course of the play the relationship with his mother Flora gradually heals as they both try to come to terms with their past and present.

 

On first impressions, there's quite of a leap of imagination required to picture Ginty as an astro-physics researcher: his manner is more akin to a youthful schoolboy. But in the second act especially, he seems to gain more gravitas and presence on the stage, dealing well with the severe emotional upheaval his character must go through.

 

The other actors seem to be more appropriately cast, with the brash and bombastic George Pye (Harry Wright) perfectly antagonising his potential son-in-law. George is not a subtle character: he successfully manages to dominate all of his scenes, and is the main source of most of the play's humour.

 

Although a lot of the characterisation is exaggerated and stereotypical, the play still has a lot of emotional clout and convincing relationship dynamics, especially when it comes to the final twist at the end. Perhaps more importantly, the award-winning Humble Boy is also very intelligent and well-written, spelling out string theory, touching upon issues of parental responsibility discussing bees all with equal deftness.

 

Overall, this is a strong and deserving play which tackles its issues with humour both subtle and ridiculous, and does so with sincerity and conviction.

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