The two-hour performances of this extremely funny comedy (not a farce) can be seen at the Melville Theatre, on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Melville nightly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 6^th December. There is one matinee; it is on Sunday 30^th November at 2.00 pm.

The scene is the present day, in the Thursby’s sitting room. The set is a sumptuous room with French windows (designer Joan Scafe, built by Peter Bloor and Ross Bertinshaw).

The walls are ice green, the furniture a white three-piece suite, with antique oak table and mirrors. In the centre of the room is a casket and wreaths on a trestle.

     The highly popular TV comedian, Dave Thursby, has died and his friends are gathering in his house for his funeral. The first to arrive is Dave’s scriptwriter and best friend, curmudgeon Harvey (Peter Bloor) who has kept him top of the ratings for a decade. With Harvey is his long-suffering wife, Vi (Sharon Menzies) who is trying to get her squeamish husband to look into the open coffin and pay his last respects to Dave.

       Harvey whispers to Vi that only a day or two earlier, Dave had confided in him, admitting to a rather delicate subject that could blow their careers to pieces.
       One of the TV executives, Kevin (Andrew O’Connell) and his production secretary, wife, Jane (Tatiana Dalin) have helped Dave’s leggy wife, Laura (Jennifer McGrath) arrange the private funeral – for close friends and relatives only. Just before the service begins, a rather tarty looking woman, who no one seems to recognise, appears at the house, she is Kay (Andrea Von Bertouch).

The Melville Theatre is renowned for its quality drama productions, but recently they do not have many comedies under their belt. I was therefore a little dubious as to how good this production would be, as Chappell’s comedy is a specialised genre and takes particularly good comedic actors to carry out the dry humour.

The highly experienced director, Joan Scafe, has chosen a wonderful cast and led them skilfully through all of the twists and turns. The teamwork was magnificent and every joke delivered with subtlety. This must have been one of Peter Bloor’s best performances.

The lighting design and set painting was by courtesy of the Jensen Clan, with sound and lighting operated by Sue Lynch.

Plenty of surprises and fresh humour in this family comedy. Very well acted and certainly worth seeing.

‘The Castle’ is famous for its high quality farces, with a slight change of genre, this very funny, light-hearted play was presented at the comfortable ‘Castle Theatre’, 8 Attwood Way, Rockingham until 12^th April.

The outstanding, luxury set (David Heckingbottom, Terry Winter, Rob and Sue Walker, beautifully dressed by Larraine Craig) depicts the visitors’ room of an upmarket, UK convalescent home. The time is the present.

        The curtain open to show miserable and moaning, middle-aged Frank Cook (David Heckingbottom), who has been booked into this rest home by his caring, but long-suffering wife, June (Nicole Brown) for respite – her respite. Into the room enters Paul Latimer (Rob Walker), a younger man who has just had a heart transplant.

      When the men go into the garden for a chat, June starts talking about her husband’s numerous afflictions with Paul’s quiet wife, Sarah (Helen Brown, who stepped in at the last minute and was excellent). Straight-laced Sarah bemoans her husband’s new, inappropriate behaviour that started just after she saw him with the young and mysterious, Tracey (Claire Rose Ward).

       Why is Tracey stalking poor Paul? Will June get her ‘old’ husband back?

Director Larraine Craig has directed numerous comedies at ‘The Castle’, most of them with her husband, David, in the main role. This pair really knows how to present comedy, and this has rubbed off on the rest of the cast. David’s speciality is creating ‘unintentional pandemonium’, and this play gave him plenty of opportunities.

The teamwork, timing, rapport and stiff upper lip delivery of the whole cast was wonderful. As certain props collapsed and another was unbecomingly employed, the laughs flowed forth. Stage managed by Stephanie Bell.

Sue Murray’s wardrobe selection ranged from the frumpy Frank, to the gypsy like outfits of Tracey. The teching by Ian Brown, who was in charge of both lights and sound, was very good.

Incidentally, this friendly theatre group is looking for all kinds of helpers, from ushers to actors. Yet another success from a well-established team, I look forward to their next production, TV’s famous ‘’Allo, ‘Allo’ in early August.