The Harrogate Advertisor

Just occasionally, a regular theatregoer could be forgiven for thinking that for some professional directors, the audience comes second to artistic interpretation.
That is never the case with the directors of productions by the Harrogate Dramatic Society for who a happy and entertained audience is clearly the bottom line.
In this case, Iris Mitchell has directed a funny and charming play with a refreshing lightness of touch - and the usual sell-out audience was chuckling throughout.
There were two really fine central performances from Alan Harwood as the Regent, and HDS newcomer Catherine Noland as Mary, the very attractive showgirl who captures his philandering heart.
A Fine sense for comedy ensured the linse ping-ponged between them with almost perfect timing and both sustained what could have been distracting accents perfectly.
Shirley Grimshaw's Grand Duchess was a wonderful comic creation in the best Lady Bracknell tradition, and Brian Foster as the ufortunately undiplomatic diplomat Peter grew confidently into his very funny role as goosberry in chief.
Congratulations too for youngsters Richard Giles as Nicholas, - hee too became more and more confident as the play went on and the nerves faded - and Victoria Gillmon as the odious Louisa.
Fine costumes by Sheila McIntosh and Avis Robinson and an attractive set were the final pieces in as complete a jigsaw as the HDS have put together for us for some time.
Great Stuff!

Richard Rae.