THINK Sondheim’s Company and Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party and you will have some idea of the style of this musical, the second penned by local writer extraordinaire Frank Ewins.

It has humour, pathos, wonderfully clever lyrics, catchy, foot-tapping melodies played by first-rate musicians and a tremendously effective set. The intriguing plot is set around a cocktail party at which the eight guests (whose first-name initials spell out the word Pleasure) discuss their innermost feelings as the devil and an angel look on and try to exert their influence over everyone. But I do wish it had all ended ten minutes sooner, as although everything seemed to come to a natural conclusion the final scene took things a stage further and, in my opinion, completely and unnecessarily changed the mood of the show.

Under David Kingman’s faultless direction and Claire Hutchins’ brilliant choreography the fifteen-strong cast give superb performances. It seems invidious to pick out individuals but I must mention Margaret Coltman’s elegant hostess, Elizabeth, not least for her ability to sing while draped across a piano, and also the show-stopping performances of Jonathan Busk as the Devil and Danny Seldon as his sidekick, Tempest.

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of making this show’s acquaintance, you’re missing a treat.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo