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by George Bernard Shaw Wimborne Drama Tivoli Theatre Wimborne May 2002 
A CHORUS line of costumed, folk-dancing scene-changers was just one of the amusing touches in this production, but it did add to my feeling that everyone might burst into song at any moment – the operetta The Chocolate Soldier is based on the play.Shaw can be slightly heavy going at times, and although the story – far too complex to relate here – had both comic and profound moments, all well expressed, it took time to get into its stride. Martin Matthews excelled as “chocolate cream soldier” Captain Bluntschli, giving a convincing, well-balanced performance, and Ann Pond was suitably dignified as his 
‘love interest’, Raina Petkoff, although I found her a little too mature to be entirely convincing.Stealing many of the acting honours was Lucy Harrold, creating a real little spitfire of a character as servant girl Louka. There were good characterisations too from Jan Stevenson (Catherine Petkoff), David Pile (Paul Petkoff), Alex Compiani (Sergius Saranoff) and Jeremy Austin (Nicola). Full marks too for an ingenious set, although I was surprised to find that the library of which the family was so proud contained so few books. Used as fuel on that most convincing stove, no doubt. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo The photographs are (a) Martin Matthews as Capt Bluntschli |
