THE curtains opened on Avoncroft Drama Group's rendition of John Chapman and Michael Pertwee's comedy Look, No Hans, and we were captivated.

The first night's bring your own wine theme brought a large attendance and set the scene for this brilliantly written farcical piece.

We sat at our table -- a nice touch -- not knowing what to expect.

Everything took place in a West Berlin flat, the home of bumbling British car salesman Peter Fisher.

Malcolm Drizen, who took on the role, never left the stage during the play which could be epitomised by the phrase when one door closes another one opens.

As the plot thickens so does Fisher's predicament and at the most hectic point he finds himself deceiving five people about a range of issues including identities, motives and their reasons for being at his flat.

The comedy occurs in real time which is quite surprising considering the nature of the twisting plot and the number of events that happened within the short period.

You can't help but empathise with loveable rogue Peter Fisher who to protect all around him bumbles his way through the play with a host of lies and quickly thought out excuses.

Look, No Hans relied on timing not only for Fisher's prominent one-liners but also for the stage entrances and exits.

Dave Crowther acted well in his role as military style Cadwallader and as the plot demanded dictated how the others interacted around him.

After the show director Sarah Dawe said: "We're only a small group and choose the play to suit the people within it."

This play, which ran for four nights at Avoncroft Arts Centre, in Redditch Road, Stoke Heath, definitely did that -- the right actors in the right roles made this a memorable opening night performance.

l Review by By Tristan Harris and Simon Haddleton