IN A witty life-imitating-art comedy about the excitement, trials and rewards of running a private theatre, the five women in recently-deceased Michael’s life are thrown together through the disused theatre that he bequeaths to them.

Jillie Curtis’s first-rate direction ensured a fast-paced, essentially slick production, with great use of space, superb stage business and tremendous attention to character detail.

In an impressive ensemble piece, there was so much to enjoy with such wonderful characterisations: the sniping and bickering between first and second wife, the eccentricities of the uncouth, punkish secretary, the devoted daughter, passionately committed to reviving the theatre, but it was Irene Bourne who stole the show as Michael’s cantankerous mother.

The choice of music covered the set/costume changes brilliantly by providing an appropriate musical link between scenes, while the worthy set itself portrayed each stage of renovation perfectly.

Curtain Up!

Chandler’s Ford MDG Players Chandlers Ford Church Hall. Anne Waggott