Improbable Fiction - Critical Reviews

Critical Reviews

Reviews of the production were divided, generally either broadly positive or broadly negative, with little in between. Much of the difference of opinion was down to what reviewers made of the change between the first and second acts.

Amongst the positive reviews, Alfred Hickling of The Guardian wrote "... the second half provides a theatrical transformation of the magnitude only Ayckbourn can dream of." Charles Hutchinson of the Yorkshire Evening Press wrote: "Ayckbourn moves into the speeding, fantastical dimensions of his Christmas family shows, as stories in the style of each writer overlap, giving Ayckbourn the chance to send up Jane Austen, Dorothy L Sayers and The Matrix."

However, the same second act that earned praise from some critics was criticised by Sam Marlowe, saying "The problem is that this parade of comic cardboard cut-outs is impossible to care about, so it’s not long before it falls flat," whilst arguing the earlier scenes worked better. Charles Spencer, reviewing the show on its tour at Guildford, was harsher, suggesting this play was evidence of Ayckbourn's decline. He wrote: "Ultimately, it's the laziness that bothers me most about latter-day Ayckbourn. You don't feel he truly cares about his characters any more: indeed, at times he can't be bothered to get inside their heads at all."

It was suggested that the reviews were generally better for the Scarborough production in the context of its 50th anniversary season, whilst expectations on the tour were for something deeper. Nonetheless, with three professional productions in the three years after the tour ended, Improbable Fiction has maintained a stage life outside of its original run.

The play had its American premiere on May 1, 2009, at the Black River Playhouse, Chester, New Jersey, directed by Michael T. Mooney.