Peter Nichols' play is set in the 1960s and uses politically-incorrect words like spastic to describe the severely mentally and physically-handicapped Joe of the title.
But it has themes running through it which make it as relevant today as it was when Nichols wrote it, leaning on his own experience as a father of a disabled child.
Tidemark is an independent drama group which has close links to St Albans and the Company of Ten. It has been responsible for some excellent productions in recent years including The Regina Monologues and Delicates and Smoke.
Their productions are invariably enjoyable and this one is no exception - in fact it is quite outstanding.
Joe Egg is performed in the Abbey Theatre Studio in the round which is ideal for a play where much of the dialogue is addressed to the audience or played out specifically for their benefit.
It is a bittersweet comedy in the sense that the humour which is so rife in the first act gradually fades as the real seriousness of the plight of Joe's parents, Bri and Sheila, is exposed.
The little girl confined to a wheelchair and constantly fitting has no quality of life and her loving parents have never really had a life together - and therein lies the crux of a deeply-moving play.
The undisputed star of the production is Ben Bradshaw who gives a remarkable performance as Bri. From the first moment he appears, ordering his class of children to calm down in his own inimitable fashion, he draws the audience in.
He ably demonstrates the disintegration of a man who uses humour to disguise his anguish at a situation which has never allowed him and Sheila to develop a proper relationship.
And the strength of his performance makes the unexpected ending far more believable than it would have been in lesser hands.
Rebecca Russell provides a perfect foil as Sheila, blaming herself for her daughter's disabilities and determined to give her own life to the child as recompense for her perceived sins.
Isabel Emery and Emily Hare share the role of Joe and while each is on stage on different nights, suffice to say that it is a difficult part for a young person which director Nick Strudwick has schooled them well in.
The remainder of the cast, Tim Hoyle as Freddie, Jo Emery as Pam - a particularly good performance as a woman with a perfect life who doesn't want to know about the other side of the coin - and Betty Rose as Bri's mother Grace, all give strong performances.
Tidemark deserves a good audience for the last few nights - and audiences will not be disappointed.
MADELEINE BURTON
© Herts Advertiser 2008. Reproduced by permission