ERNEST Thompson's moving story was made famous by the film of the same name which starred Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn. But I admit I wondered how the Halliwell players were going to put its essential messages over without boring us daft. What I forgot, of course, was how much humour and subtlety there is in Thompson's writing. Add to this the superb adaptation and performances of the company and I was asking myself what I was worried about.

It is essentially a story of love. Not so much romantic love, but how difficult relationships within families, particularly between a father and daughter, can still be reconciled as people near death.

Neil McMahon played the cantankerous 80-year-old Norman Thayer magnificently and by the end of the night I had put any visions of Henry Fonda in the same role out of my mind, which is some achievement.

Renee Easterbrook was also truly outstanding in her role, achieving professional levels of excellence in her portrayal of Norman's tolerant and ever-loving wife Ethel.

Phil Ward made the most of his two appearances as Charlie Martin with an amusing characterisation of the postman and ex-boyfriend of the Thayer's daughter Chelsea, played convincingly by Kathryn Roberts.

James Fernley completed an impressive debut as Billy Ray, the 13-year-old boy who begins to make Norman live out his lasting years more positively when he enters the Thayers' lives. The cast is completed by Steve Poulsom who plays the new boyfriend of Chelsea and Billy Ray's father.

The play is set in the living room of the country retreat next to the Golden Pond and scene changes were punctuated by beautiful piano music to good effect.

Steve Maslivec's direction is effective and appropriate for the play. The company deserve full houses for this enjoyable production.

Nick Jackson

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