Review by Marilyn Barber

“That was really, really good,” was just one of the positive comments I overheard as I left the theatre after the first night of the first of five plays to be performed at the Tivoli this summer by this talented company, who wowed audiences last year.

And kicking off with an Alan Ayckbourn play was a good choice, as performed well – which it is – it is a laugh-out-loud comedy.

Set in a dilapidated Victorian country house, the story demands that all three floors are represented on the stage. The only way this can be done is for the actors to mime movement up and down flat staircases – which trust me, works really well to comedic effect.

A dodgy builder Leslie (Mitch Capaldi) is trying to sell the house to alcoholic businessman Roland, (Neil James) whose wife of a few months, Elizabeth (Victoria Porter) is leaving him.

At the same time Elizabeth’s brother Mark (Al Wadlan) wants to win back his fiancee Kitty (Hepzibah Roe).

Into the fray comes inept, insecure solicitor Tristram (Joseph Prestwich). What could possibly go wrong apart from leaky roofs, things that go bump in the night, a character shut in a wardrobe and accidental bed partners?

And of course all this requires split second timing, which it receives from this highly professional company.

Vernon Thompson, who is the producer of London Repertory Players, also directs this very funny and absorbing farce, so do try to get a ticket.

Next week’s production is The Small Hours by Francis Durbridge from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 6 August.

Noel Coward’s Fallen Angels is from Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 August, with I Have Been Here Before by JB Priestley from Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 August.

The final play is the classic Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 August.

Tickets from 01202 885566 or tivoliwimborne.co.uk