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Bournemouth Little Theatre Club Little Theatre Jameson Road Winton November 2004 This production, superbly directed by Dan Brian, who also designed and constructed the brilliant set, is excellently paced and brings out every facet of the play’s humour. And the magnificent costumes are a delight to the eye – although I did wonder if bright yellow would really be the preferred choice of nightwear for a vain, slightly faded matinee idol such as Garry Essendine. Geoff Whipp catches this wholly insincere character to perfection, and even sounds like Coward, who wrote the part for himself. The women who pander to his every need – secretary Monica (Lolly Endacott), ex-wife Liz (Angela Whyatt), friend’s wife, Joanna (Wendy Mason), young ingenue Daphne (Denise Nippard, playing the role at two days’ notice) and housekeeper, Miss Erikson (a hugely funny Virginia Harrington) are all beautifully characterised too. There are also fine performances from Peter Beebee (Fred), Andrew Whyatt (Henry), Don Gent (Morris) and Tommy Egerton (Lady Saltburn). But the evening’s highlight has to be the scene between Garry and a besotted fan, Roland Maule (an outstanding Matthew Ellison). Never before can a few minutes’ silence involving two men and a biscuit have been more entertaining. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo 
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