Alan Ayckbourn’s play Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations follows Ernie, a likeable kid whose vivid and wildly-imaginative daydreams have begun to manifest as sudden, absurd real-world situations. The enthusiastic and versatile young cast – many performing on stage for the very first time – delivers a sharp, funny and warmly endearing adaptation which canters through a succession of ever-more bizarre scenes at a pace.
Whisked to the local Doctor – and the sickly waiting room – by his exasperated dad and his bewildered but supportive mum, the charismatic Ernie recounts his ‘illucinations’ to the suitably polite yet sceptical doctor. As he does so, each scenario is vividly brought to life on stage. With scarcely a moment to draw breath, the audience embarks on a bright and breezy roller-coaster of adventures: from a ruthless military raid on the family home; to a daring heroic helicopter rescue; to all the fun of the fairground where Ernie’s wild imagination leads to his aunt challenging a prize fairground boxer; to an encounter with a covert secret agent in the local library; to his dad as a heroic mountaineer rescuing a climber on Everest. Each scenario has its own distinct personality, colour and atmosphere and the scene changes are slick as the cast moves effortlessly between roles. Cheeky and bubbling with mischief, the production succeeds in never taking itself too seriously – from climbing a small ladder to represent Everest accompanied by the Mission Impossible soundtrack, to the Rocky theme-tune blasting out during the raucous boxing match. The talented young cast tackles the diverse scenes with real comic aplomb, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the stage, none more so than the final scene when a toe-tapping marching band parading through the Doctor’s Surgery provides a fitting, farcical climax to the play.
As a play Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations is a riotous romp and a little theatrical gem: bonkers, engaging and endearing in equal measure. “Are you suggesting we’re all off our onions?” says the dad to the Doctor at the end. I have no doubt that by the end of the production we are all totally and utterly off our onions, but undoubtedly are much the better for it!
