You can usually judge the success of a production from the behaviour of the audience during the interval and the response to Oxhey actor Alex Lowe alias Barry from Watford, was electric.

Barry is an elderly gentleman born and bred in Watford, who in the twilight of his life is disappointed by the lack of community in the modern day town. He shares frustrations about how much Watford has changed with the audience, while reminiscing about life with wife and dance partner Margaret. “A woman with a chin like an Edam cheese”.

Barry uses video footage to help communicate his memories. Most effectively when he shows and narrates some home movies which he shot in the early ‘50s. The images, which were actually shot by the late Howard Baim, are colourful and nostalgic and are used to great comic effect. We see where Barry lived, where Barry shopped, where Barry danced with his wife. Where Barry strolled through the much lamented Cassiobury park gates.

Throughout the performance, Barry gains credibility until suddenly he appears to have become a real person; it’s as if he really exists! The show is a testament to the talent of Alex Lowe, whose comic timing was spot on. Barry’s recollections resonate with the audience when he compares Elizabeth Taylor with the wonderful Watford of old and Graham Taylor with the urban town of today.

Director Tim Norton and Alex Lowe have created a very entertaining and extremely funny piece of theatre. Dave Heath’s music was very effective, Eliot Goldner’s audiovisual choreography set the scene perfectly and Chris Pavlo’s managed the complex sound plot admirably. I for one can’t wait to hear and see more through the eyes of Barry from Watford.

Paul Henley Washford