Review: Don't Dress For Dinner (adapted by Robin Hawdon, directed by Margaret Burton), Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa.

A SMALL first-night audience enjoyed Marc Camoletti's French farce

The curtains opened, with the Can-Can playing in the background, to reveal a set that was superbly constructed and decorated in the manner of a French farmhouse.

Andrew Spearing-Brown, playing Bernard, gave an outstanding performance as the adulterous husband, and Dominic Peberdy, who played best friend Robert, ably supported him. Peberdy gave a confident and self-assured performance and the interplay between himself and Spearing-Brown was exquisite as they bumbled from one lie to another to cover their respective affairs.

Seasoned actress Jane Brooksbank played Suzanne, Bernard's lover. Her delivery was perfect, her performance lifted the show, and she managed to squeeze into quite a small role a huge amount of energy. Although the direction by Margaret Burton could have been tighter, the show brought a touch of "Joie de Vive" to Droitwich Spa.

JAMES EDWARDS