Review: Love and Marriage at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday)

DONALD Churchill's play is referred to as being a 'bitter sweet comedy' but sadly it came across as not so bitter, not so sweet and not so funny.

Centred around the home of the two main characters, Tony and Ruth, played by Liz Izen and Stephen Boxer, the play just didn't spark. The dialogue was flat and although the actors have much experience of the theatre there was something lacking.

Perhaps a theatre that was sparsely populated didn't exactly assist the occasion.

However, when Leslie Grantham arrived on the scene it did give everyone a lift.

He was able to command what few laughs the audience were 'lifted' to accept in his role as the womanising Jack-the-lad character which suited him admirably.

Grantham, of course, was the last minute stand-in for Adam Faith, who sadly died after opening the play's tour in March. He created the role of Bill, the loveable rogue, so it was to the credit of Grantham tht he was able to carry this play to a mediocre reception on its opening night at Malvern. VW