THEATRE

Ayckbourn's Time of My Life revolves around a family dinner at their favorite restaurant organized by successful businessman Gerry Stratton to celebrate his wife Laura's 54th birthday. Their grown sons are also present with their significant others. It is after the dinner breaks up that Ayckbourn's real genius becomes apparent as the play takes off in three different directions simultaneously. The parents remain in present time, disclosing secrets and redefining their relationship. The oldest son's story moves forward in time over the course of two years, exposing a troubled marriage and the failure of the family business. The youngest son's story moves backwards in time, revealing the beginnings of a new relationship. By juxtaposing events from the past, present, and future concurrently, Ayckbourn reveals the entire spectrum of the family experience associated with that life-changing dinner party.