Review - Party Piece at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday

SURPRISINGLY disappointing comedy-drama considering Richard Harris's track record.

Unfortunately the man who brought us such brilliant offerings as Outside Edge and The Darling Buds of May, fails to provide anything resembling a party piece because of a weak story line and some irritating characters.

Thank heavens the few really good funny lines fell to that doyen of comedy character acting, George Cole, who saved this offering from completely fizzling out along with the party's misfiring barbecue.

The 'piece' centres around tensions on the garden fence - and tensions either side - when a house-warming is about to take place. But the cantankerous elderly neighbour (George Cole) takes exception, along with his amusing dislike of his son's second wife. Peter Amory, best remembered in Emmerdale, provides good support as the son. AW