THE Nonentities brought the well-known characters in this very potted version of Jane Austen's novel to life with aplomb.

David Wakeman is an excellent Mr Bennet, who deserved a thump for only allowing his wife to speak to him for an allotted few minutes! And Rosalind Casewell played Mrs Bennet superbly, not over-acting, as is sometimes the temptation with this role.

The daughters in search of husbands were ably played by Sinead Maffei, Vivienne Cole and Natalie White while their suitors were portrayed by David Claridge, Jamie Thompson and James Stevens, who all gave good performances.

However, the scene-stealing Rev James Stewart as the fawning, supercilious and slightly dotty vicar, Mr Collins gave a performance to remember.

The Nonentities had special permission to perform David Pownall's adaptation of the classic romance, and it was worth it.

VJS