MERE is a word frequently used in Peter Shaffer's award-winning comedy Lettice And Lovage.
But the adjective can not be used to describe the talents of the small cast, wonderfully led by Jenny Antram as the theatrical Miss Lettice.
Harrogate Dramatic Society is renowned for presenting success after success, no matter what the choice of play, or the period in which they are set.
Lettice And Lovage has only just been released to amateur groups and always ready for a challenge, the society was quick to snap up the script.
What an excellent move it has proved! The storyline is a real gem - Miss Douffet, fed up with showing guests around "the most boring historical house in Britain" decides to embelish the facts.
All goes according to plan until Miss Charoltte Schoen, a preservation trust official excellently played by Joan Mallett, arrives on the scene.
Although forced to sack Miss Douffet an unlikely friendship develops and the two, depressed with the modern world, decide to make their own entertainment.
The play is both funny and touching but it all centres arround Miss Douffet and Miss Schoen. Each has a wealth of lines but they are so well excecuted you feel you are eaves-dropping on a conversation rather than watching a production.
Particularly funny are the opening scenes when four visitors to Fustian House change outfits to become 16 tourists instead. It's hilarious.
As ever, scene changes by the society are so well done, they are entertaining in themselves and full use is made of the limited studio space to create an office, stately home's grand hall and basement flat. Quite an achievement.

Rita Sobot