The Harrogate Advertiser

Play director and society president Joan Mallett has notched up yet another gem of a production with Ring Round The Moon, a delightful charade with music.
And it's success - tickets were sold out nearly a fortnight before - is even more remarkable in view of two last minute hitches.
Due to family circumstances, two of the original cast members had to drop out leaving only a week for understudies to prepare.
In fact, Lewis Simm as the crumbling butler, Joshua, had just a few days in which to rehearse his lines. All credit to him therefore, for giving a very creditable performance as curtain went up on Tuesday night.
Although he carried his script, he only had to jog his memory on a few occasions and managed to raise plenty of laughs as the sour-faced servant.
Ann Moorby also excelled by taking the role of an ambitious mother eager to see her daughter well-married.
Ring Round The Moon, orriginally written in French and adapted by Christopher Fry is a tale of romance and intrigue liberaly laced with humour.
Set in 1912 in a winter garden as guests prepare for a glittering ball, it provides ample opportunity for beautiful costumes and a simple but dramatic set.
The Play also tests the talents of its lead character to the limits, with Ben Lister portraying twin brothers - Hugo, shceming and uncaring, and Frederic, shy and sensitive.
Although space in the studio is limited, ballroom scenes are well-excecuted with lots of nifty footwork by the cast.
But the jewel in the crown has to be the exotic tango performed so hilariously by Brian Foster as the secretive secretary and his mistress, Lady India, played by Judy Methven. It's an absolute delight.
All players add to the success, including Alan Harwood as an eccentric lepidopterist and Olive Richardson as the wheelchair-bound aunt. Her dry wit is wonderful.
Louise Parkes is also charming as Isabelle, a talented but penniless ballet dancer.
Her fight with Diana, played by Judith Kenley, is a real contrast to the otherwise gentle pace of the plot.

Rita Sobot.