The Harrogate Advertiser

With this, the first offering of their 50th season, Harrogate Dramatic Society once again left an eager audience well satisfied and delightfully entertained.
The two choices from Noel Coward's "Tonight At 8:30" collection couldn't be more different in atmosphere and style.
Still Life, set in a station refreshment room had all the functional cosiness of the 30s and Peter Wilson's green and brown set design was a perfect foil for the action.
The deepening romance between Laura and Alec after he removed a piece of grit from her eye was exceptionally well played by Jenny Antram and Ben Lister. Jenny's performance in particular was graceful and composed, and even in mental turmoil she retained a touching dignity. Ben Lister found the way through the doctor's professional manner to the man inside - I particularly liked his distant impersonal voice when ordering tea and cakes as compared to the warmth he conveyed to Laura.
Sylvia Iveson was a delight as the mistress of the teapot, Myrtle Bagot and her changeable vocal manner and instinctive timing were the cue for plenty of laughter. Catherine Noland played the sniggering Beryl and useing a multitude of facial expressions she showed an appetite for comedy which doubtless she will build on.
Many of the audience responded to the appearance of Iris Mitchell in the cameo roles of Dolly Messiter and the French Leanne in Shadow Play. I found her performances in both roles compelling.

Shadow Play, with its elegant sophistication is everything we associate with the glamour of Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence and the glorious evening wear used in this, the second performance was expertly selected from the society's own wardrobe by Sheila McIntosh and Avis Robson.
A more stylized piece Vicki and Simon, played by Judith Simpson and Derek Newton addopted the clipped speach and distant looks so beloved of Coward himself to convey an unhappy relationship.
Audrey Shaw as the motherly Martha Cunningham came over well and the whole cast looked as if they were revelling in bringing this fantasy with music to life. A sensation in shimering green was the aptly named Rachel Green who proved that you don't need a vast amount of dialogue to make a lasting impression.
A variety of locations were suggested by appropriate props and additional to the action in both plays were Michael Crewe and Mike Allen. Still Life was directed by Peter Wilson and Shadow Play by Joan M. Mallett.