Is it a play? Is it a joke? Is it a flight of fancy?

Whilst Next Time I’ll Sing to You baffles me, I do find much to admire in the Orange Tree’s 40th birthday celebratory production.

The first showing of Next Time I’ll Sing to You way back in the day (1963) is credited with launching the career of one Michael Caine. And not a lot of people know that. Sam Walters, artistic director at the Orange Tree, has long championed the work of its award-winning creator, playwright James Saunders. Indeed, Next Time I’ll Sing to You was the first play Walters’ directed. Whilst some of us may not be aware of Saunders’ work, you might be impressed by the fact that Tom Stoppard’s much-loved Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead was greatly influenced by this play.

Anyway, interesting facts apart, Saunders play has been variously described as innovative and absurdist, a meditation and a tease. Others more qualified than I am have described the Orange Tree’s production as a weird and wonderful evening and if you are a fan of Beckett, Pirandello, the theatre of the absurd, Ionesco and existentialism, then I suggest Next Time I’ll Sing to You is right up your street.

The good thing about not being a professional critic is that I can say with all honesty that the genre and the content left me cold but strangely I loved the characters. I adored Aden Gillet as Rudge, a sort of producer/director of the play within the play. Holly Elmes was hilarious as Lizzie, the twin sister of a twin sister called Lizzie. And Jamie Newall as the hermit created a masterful role, incredibly moving and powerful. Therefore perhaps it does not matter that I did not fully understand the entire piece. I am sure you will – and it’s on till December so you have plenty of time to mug up on theatre of the absurd et al.

The Orange Tree is now celebrating its 40th birthday with some great commemorative tea towels by the way, so go along and enjoy the play to be part of this lovely theatre’s birthday party. The show runs to 10 December, see www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk for details.

Sarah Hodgson is a regular at local theatres, and Editor-in-Chief at Time & Leisure Media Group.