A poignant comedy of two strangers meeting amid an anti-terrorist operation
Blue Sky Theatre presents Arrivals and Departures by Alan Ayckbourn from 25 July to 3 August 2025 at Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre.
At a London mainline rail station, an elaborate trap is being deployed in an attempt to capture a dangerous and elusive terrorist. Major Quentin Sexton and his hand-picked Strategic Simulated Distractional Operations Unit are poised, if not giving the impression of being terribly able.
They are being assisted by Barry Hawkins, a civilian witness and constantly chirpy traffic warden in his 50s from Harrogate; his protection—much to Quentin’s disapproval—is an apparently disgraced and very defensive young soldier, Private Esmé (Ez) Swain, who is currently awaiting a court martial following an assault on a fellow soldier.
As they wait for the train to arrive, Barry and Ez are told to blend in as part of the clandestine action, and they indulge in small talk,
It’s frosty and judgmental at first. Barry’s happiness and Ez’s defensiveness protect them from anyone prying too deeply.
But as they get to know each other, they also reveal who they’ve become via memories of arrivals and departures in their lives recreated by an ensemble cast.
Will Barry and Ez arrive at any common ground before they depart?
Director Dave Simms promises that Alan Ayckbourn’s 77th play will surprise you. “Don’t let Ayckbourn’s name make you pre-judge this play,” said Dave. “What astonishes you about Alan Ayckbourn is that he’s always experimenting. He pushes comedy as far as possible towards tragedy. And it’s clever – the second act is a more-or-less exact mirror of the first, but with different flashbacks. Ayckbourn has lost none of his theatrical inventiveness and shows that even the process of waiting is rich in dramatic and comedic potential.”
Our South Australian premiere production is directed by Dave Simms, and stars Nick Fagan and Emily Currie. A fabulous ensemble cast play 30 characters in Barry and Ez’s life: Joshua Coldwell, Steve Marvanek, Zoe Battersby, Rachel Dalton, Finty McBain, Leighton Vogt, Paul Pacillo, Gabe Mangelsdorf, Claire Keen and Millie Fagan.
Domain Theatre / Marion Cultural Centre
287 Diagonal Rd, Oaklands Park
Only 25 mins from the city
Friday 25 July at 7.30pm
Saturday 26 July at 4.00pm
Sunday 27 July at 4.00pm
Friday 1 August at 7.30pm
Saturday 2 August at 4.00pm
Sunday 3 August at 4.00pm
By arrangement with ORiGiN™ Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. – A Concord Theatricals Company.
Tickets $40/$35 on sale soon
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