SET around a committee table in the ballroom of the local hotel, director Barbara Large’s excellent direction made full use of the village hall venue by having action on the stage, amongst the captivated audience and utilising every entrance into the room to maximum effect.

Her attention to detail ensured brilliant characterisations and slick pace from a strong ensemble. They all had shining moments, from Ollie Ledsham’s rallying rhetoric, to gushing lovestruck Sophie (Becky Bourne), through Tim Conway’s pernickety observations of rules to the inebriated to impassioned support of David Bartholomew.

Caroline Holley was magnificent as the haughty, disapproving, yet vulnerable Helen, matched by a dynamic performance from onstage husband, David Cradduck, while Pauline Cornter (Audrey) excelled with comic timing and character traits.

Culminating in first-rate farce, with splendid sound effects and cameo musical scene changes. Riotous fun!