FOR many years, Wythall Theatre Company has presented popular, high-quality plays at the Palace Theatre. The temporary move to Kingsley posed many problems but they were all overcome. The high standards have been maintained, if not improved.

Director Mike Beamish has chosen a Tony award-winning play and delivered a polished, professional production.

Neil Simon's bittersweet drama comedy is set in the 1940s and the set and costumes beautifully conjured up the period.

The cast of seven delivered first-class performances, maintaining the rapid pace of the humour but still injecting moments of pathos. The family was headed by Val Archer as the steely Grandma Kurnitz, a bravura performance.

Her four children were contrasting characters, well portrayed. Roger Warren's hilariously slippery Uncle Louie, Ed Parrott's weak but devoted Eddie, Denise Bishop capturing the child-like naivete and optimism of the simple Bella and Jenny Theakston's effective and funny debut as Gert.

The play relied on two central performances of maturity and timing from the young actors playing grandsons Arty and Jay.

Teenagers James Cassidy and Sam Marriott both performed with expert delivery and timing. Sam in particular has a bright future on stage if he chooses, with two or three scenes that were outstanding.

Tony Lacey