Fine presentation of "Anastasia"

Harrogate Dramatic Society opened another season at the Little Theatre where they are presenting four plays during the winter with a presentation last night of "Anastasia", the story of White Russian intrigue.
Despite the limits of a tiny stage the show is extremely well done. Margaret Broome makes a forlorn figure as the mysterious Anna, and David Perkis is forceful as the unprincipled Prince Bounine.
A fine peice of acting comes from Kay Gaunt, as the Dowager Empress of Russia.
The play confirms the society's particular tradition as masters of the amateur stage. In Kay Gaint, they have an actress who brings a gracious splendour to the scene as the 80-year-old ex-Empress of Russia. Here is a performance worth travelling to see. Margaret Broome in the title role - princess or imposter? - is unlucky to have such a rival for acting honours, but they team up to give the dialogue music.
The delicacy of their touch makes the scheming of Michael Pilch, Ronald Simpson and David Perkis a trifle uncertain and their conversation aggressive; they cast doubt on the authenticity of their bid to resurrect a princess by their several pronunciations of her name. Never-the-less, this production is the work of a healthy, virile company.