The Harrogate Advertiser

"Start speading the news" croons Sinatra - the curtain hasn't yet risen on Neil Simon's comedy but laughter is audible. The song and the singer is a brilliantly ironic choice. Potential scandal threatens to overwhelm high-society New-Yorkers. And when bad news becomes public knowledge, reputations and careers can be left in tatters - what a scene setter!
This is Neil Simon at his sharpest, poking fun at a wealthy clique who get into trouble by being extravagent with the truth. The action is fast, the dialogue hilarious and the quality of the performances, excellent.
Although this isn't a farce in the English sense of the word, the collective predicament of the guests at a swish celebration takes an increasingly ludicrous turn. Indeed by the end of the play, one character in quite a surreal turn of events, is forced to impersonate the missing host.
Frank Moorby plays the wise-cracking Lenny and delivers a hugely enjoyable and vocally dynamic performance. This is a pivotal role in the play and much of the energy and drive of the action rests on his shoulders - the final speech which has to sound as if he's thinking on his feet. is outstanding. There is some of the throw-away style of Phil Silvers in his dialogue and as Neil Simon wrote for Sgt. Bilko, this is perhaps not altogether surprising.
The talented Mr. Moorby also designed the set, which has to show a split-level arrangement with doors leading to most rooms in the apartment. Native American wall hangings and terracotta colours invite the imagination to conjure the rest. Director Joan Mallett keeps a low-key approach to accent and the main players all have a credible drawl. The contrasting qualities of the womens' voices adds more to their characterisation than meer accent. There is the lightness of the dizzy Claire, (Jenny Antram), who sparks when her husband is set upon by a determined flirt. Christine Littlewood goes higher when her role of Chris is stressed, which is most of the time, but can also deliver a stinging rebuke when spilled blood threatens to soil an expensive gown. A slight whine is introduced into Sylvia Iveson's tone for the all-round nuisance that is Cookie while Cassie (Judy Methven) directs several type of venom at a Clintonesque husband.
Derek Newton is the self-adoring, politician Glenn who makes every line sound like a State of the Union address and every move a vote winner. See the play and you begin to think Mr Clinton's speech writers plunder Neil Simon for ideas.
In a week when a prominent Welsh politician decided the "crime" of being mugged was reason enough to resign, it seems scandal or rumours of scandal are just as topical on this side of the Pond.
The only Brit in the ensemble is the analyst, Ernie, played by Stuart Kellett.
There was scope here for making him a little more mannered, especially as he is mistakenly taken for a Butler at one point. More effective is the off-beat energy he puts into dancing and the clucking concern he shows for Cookie's disasters.
Another energetic performance comes from Brian Foster as Ken, who starts as the ideas man but by Act II is left several steps behind in an amusing sequence of misunderstandings.
Audience response is no doubt feeding even more into the performances since Wednesday's opening night and though the cast deserve the applause for succeeding in such a demanding comedy, full credit must also go to the director for staging a first class entertainment for local audiences.

Ruth Badley.