Have you ever hit a point when you think that life is passing you by? That is exactly what happens to Dennis Cain in the Torch Theatre Company's hilarious production of Willy Russell's One for the Road, currently taking the stage in Milford Haven.
On the eve of his 35th birthday family man Dennis gets the overwhelming feeling that he is sinking under a sea of Chris De Burgh CDs and Tupperware in his Ikea filled home on a middle class Liverpool housing estate.
He longs for the spontaneity of his youth; to escape by becoming a 'Knight of the Road' wandering wherever his hitchhiking will take him instead of remaining in his mundane life with his social climbing wife, Pauline and their dinner parties with the estate's social elite.
It is during such a dinner party to celebrate Dennis' impending birthday with Roger and Jane Fuller, two of the leading lights in the estate's hierarchy, that matters come to a head and secrets are exposed.
As the drink flows - although typically Dennis has bought the wrong wine - there is a lot of navel gazing by all concerned leading to the somewhat downbeat denouement of this very funny, but rather bitter/sweet tale.
One for the Road is one of Russell's earlier works and the theme of 'mid-life crisis' and a person's sense of 'being' - living rather then merely existing - is one he has revisited several times, most notably in Shirley Valentine, but it still hits the mark.
Although perhaps the theme of a disastrous dinner party in stifling suburbia has been tackled by other playwrites - and dare I venture to say better in the case of something like Abigail's Party - Russell still packs in plenty of Liverpudlian wit and moments of broad farce to delight.
Coming in at just under two hours, One for the Road does have a feel of an extended sit-com episode about it and, while there are references to DVDs, and Nigella Lawson, it can't quite escape its 1970s origins.
That said, however, that is still succeeds is a testament to director Peter Doran and his talented cast.
Taking centre stage as the frustrated Dennis was Liam Tobin, who perfectly captured the caged animal feel of a working class hero raging against the rat race and longing for a Kerouak-like existence on the open road.
As his wife, Pauline, Lisa George gave sterling service as a woman for whom it is how others perceive them that is of paramount importance while Huw Bevan was full of bonhomie as committee loving Roger, the sort of man to be the first to start dancing to the Birdie Song on the family's yearly holiday to the same Spanish resort.
Sarah Withe as Roger's shrewish, nosy, frustrated, prim and proper Cosmo reading wife Jane was also a joy to behold
All the performers managed to convey the hidden layers to the characters yet remaining shallow - if that is not a contradiction in terms - and a particularly enjoyable interlude was when Pauline, Roger and Jane decide to go on the open road with Dennis - although it would have to be in a converted bus with all the creature comforts like a portable television and second hand dish-washer!
There are sub texts, like materialism - status is based o whether you've got the latest DVD player - unfulfilled dreams how the appeal of a life free from worries and responsibilities marries up to the real world and that familiar old chestnut of hedonistic wife-swapping behind lace curtained propriety, all wrapped up in an entertaining package that deftly combines pathos, quick wit and knockabout slapstick humour to keep your ribs tickled and your thoughts provoked
Well worth two hours of your time - although it is worth noting that, as this frustrated foursome are in their hearts rooted in the working classes despite their outward veneer and use a few choice words Granny may not approve of - One for the Road runs at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven until Saturday, February 15.
ANDREW DAVIES