THE Cygnet Players' summer production of My Three Angels, by Sam and Bela Spewack, began with an ingenious set which unfolded to reveal the back room of a general store on the isle of St Laurent, a former penal colony.

One could feel the heat as the play began with the store manager receiving a letter from the owner, which was to herald his arrival and spelt gloom.

The manager, Felix Dulay, a meek mannered and honest man, ably played by Justin Wilks, was deeply distressed and even his wife, Emilie, played by Virginia Stewart, could hardly pacify him.

Suddenly, heavy knocking and banging sounded on the roof: some convicts had been engaged to mend it.

As soon as it was completed, the convicts descended by ladder - 4707 Alfred, 6817 Jules and 3011 Joseph - a mixed bunch, who took charge of the situation and all other situations as they arouse.

The three angels were, of course, the three convicts brilliantly played by Tim Eagleton, Roger Gowland and Mike Hemming, recreating their roles from a production some 21 years ago.

They were good then, but this time they were exceptional, showing acting skills and a feel for comedy which delighted the audience and must certainly have served as a master class.

The play, for all its humour and skulduggery, nevertheless underpinned a time in French history when the lives of its criminals certainly paid for their misdeeds as life on a penal colony was stark and privileges a memory from the past.

It is a great credit to the director, Harry Gardner, that the play and its sub-text was so well observed that it provided the audience with an evening of outstanding entertainment and enlightenment.

- Charles Dennis