The Good Life

The Good Life has been adapted by Jeremy Sams and is based upon the TV Series by John Esmonde & Bob Larbey.

The set is very clever: half the stage is Tom & Barbara's kitchen with a door leading to the garden, while the other half is their neighbours' lounge with a serving hatch to their kitchen and door out.

Director Phil Rainforth has a great cast for this play. There are lots of laughs along the way, the characters have worked hard on the mannerisms and facial expressions. Steve Davis takes on the role of Tom Good, wanting to escape his office work for a more self sufficient lifestyle, wanting to grow his own food etc. He persuades his wife Barbara, played by Cally Van Der Pauw, that this would be a great opportunity for them both. They work very well together, and are belivable as a couple, Tom worrying about things, and Barbara has a real warmth about her.

Margo Leadbetter is superbly played by Sarah Short. Sarah is spot on in her posture, and air of snobbery, and quick delivery of her lines, I loved the different outfits. Chris Willsher plays her husband Jerry Leadbetter with just the right amount of 'whatever Margo says goes'. They too work very well together. The other members of the cast play all the other roles which is great fun, especially when four are used in the same scene about the piglet. Chris Davis plays the Pigman, Sir (The Boss from work), Doctor Joe and the Policeman, and Stevie Parker takes on Felicity, Milk-woman and the Dr's Secretary. I thought the end of Act 1 with everyone in Margo & Jerry's lounge was very funny especially, Geraldine the goat through the window. I also did like the scene after the Sound of Music, as the lead up to it before had seen Margo beliving she should have been cast as Maria, then actually playing the part and what choas the rest of the so called company had happened on opening night being told by Margo very deadpan was excellent.

This was a great evening's entertainment, well done to you all. 

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