Review: Time and Time Again - Festival Theatre, Malvern

(until Saturday, June 15)

TOP actors and the work of one of Britain's top comedy playwrights promised a great night's entertainment.

Sadly it didn't turn out that way, but that was through no fault of the cast who did more than their best with what was a disappointing and predictable script from the normally exceptional pen (or may be computer) of Alan Aykbourn.

Mr Aykbourn still managed to wring quite a few laughs out of the audience, but the plot was generally weak and looked and sounded as if it had been around before in some other shape or form.

But great credit must go to John Challis and Sue Holderness, who many may remember as Boycie and Marlene - from that wonderful tv series, Only Fools And Horses.

They, together with Robert Duncan - from Drop The Dead Donkey, rescued the night with their stage skills and natural comedy technique.

The story centres around a divorced brother who talks to a garden gnome and has become involved in a love triangle.

Mr Challis, sounding a lot like Boycie, earned most of laughs, even though we often knew what was coming next.

It didn't quite reach the level of the intriguing and intelligent comedy the publicity had indicated, but it was nevertheless a pleasing night's entertainment.

And we know for certain that Mr Aykbourn has produced better in the past and will probably do so again in the future.

AW