THE TITLE of this play by Ivan Menchell suggests that it might be somewhat lacking in the comedy department, but in reality the story of three Jewish American widows learning to cope with life as single women has plenty of humour to balance the inevitable pathos.
Director Tony Orman, himself a Jewish widower now married to a charming American lady, had the knowledge to know just what he was looking for in his characters and he seems to have found it in this excellently performed production. Lin Denning’s seemingly brash, vulgar Lucille and Angela Whyatt’s equally loud but introspective Doris are the perfect foils for Penelope Goddard’s quieter Ida and Clifford Page’s mild mannered Sam, while Deborah Orman made a confident debut as Mildred.
Audience reaction is always a sound pointer as to the success of a production, and the profound silence during the scene change that followed one particularly thought-provoking episode said it all. Yes, the play is funny, in parts extremely so, but it is also deeply profound, thanks to a well-constructed and totally believable plot – and a cast with the skill to ensure that every aspect is fully exploited.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemout Daily Echo