THROWBACK theatre is probably an appropriate way to sum up The Kingfisher.

While some classic plays transcend their time, others are very much of it.

Such is the case with William Douglas Home's genteel story of a man and woman who, but for twists and turns of fate, might have been celebrating their golden wedding, rather than drifting apart for all those years.

While at first glance it might seem fate had conspired against Cecil (Francis Matthews) and Evelyn (Rosemary Leach), scratch the surface and there is more to it than that.

In his latter years Cecil, hearing that Evelyn's husband has died, becomes taken with the romantic notion that the flame could be rekindled.

Evelyn accepts an invitation to stay with Cecil and during the course of their conversations it becomes clear that Cecil - who went on to play the field after the couple went their separate ways - possibly did not want her enough or wanted to have his cake and consume it.

The less romantically misguided Evelyn is aware of that, having settled for a sparkless marriage with a man she did not really love.

The will they, won't they get together at long last is the central hook of an undemanding tale that ambles along at a gentle pace.

The Kingfisher runs until this Saturday.

Review by PETER McMILLAN