There are all manner of shenanigans going on around the McCracken’s in Alan Ayckbourn’s A Small Family Business, which opens at the National Theatre next week. From forgetfulness when it comes to paying for shopping to indiscreetly supplying rival furniture firms to the family’s own chair making company with product to sell, everyone turns the odd blind eye to the not-entirely-legal.
That is apart from son-in-law Jack, played by Nigel Lindsay, whose unblemished record is put to the test the minute he takes over the family firm.
Now, we’re sure that none of the performers in the production, which is directed by Adam Penford in the National’s Olivier Theatre, are as unscrupulous as their devious characters, but we’ve been checking these rehearsal shots by John Persson for any funny business, just in case.