THEY giggled, laughed helplessly and applauded virtually every scene of this superb play written by Michael Birch from the novel by David Nobbs.

Students of television comedy will know Nobbs as the creator of The Death of Reginald Perin, which was turned into the hugely popular Fall and Rise of Reginald Perin in the mid-70s.

An outstanding piece and and an outstanding performance from this massively talented cast, which took time out at the end to thank their audience for its appreciative response.

Mark Chatterton milks his role as Henry Pratt for every conceivable laugh, especially as the younger boy, and has the advantage of looking naturally funny in his short pants and grey socks.

I thought Siobhan Finneran was brilliant in her combination of roles including Cousin Hilda, Henry's girlfriend Lorna Arrow, and Daphne Porringer (Henry's autie's lover's wife).

Versatility is the name of the game in regional theatre these days and Michael Remick drew his full range of talents as Henry's tragic father Ezra, but saved some of his best moments for Lampo Davey, Henry's upper class and gay public school artistic mentor.

Joanne Knowles also excells in her combination of roles chiefly Henry's uppercrust Auntie Doris as is Chris Cooke as Henry's Uncle Teddy.

All round this is a very entertaining show, and there are numerous classicly funny lines in the play which are almost unforgettable. Nick Jackson

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