By Nigel Holloway

NODA Review by Frank Wooles

The world premier of a new play is an exciting occasion, especially when written by a member of the performing company. Nigel Holloway's new comedy made its debut at Llanover Hall, Cardiff, in November, before moving on to play other venues in the area. The am dram group, the Off The Wall Theatre Company, are in rehearsal for HMS Pinafore when the chairman replaces the resident producer with a professional, Caroline, who turns out to be a slave-driving harridan causing considerable dissent and mayhem within the group. The leading man, Barney, has had an affair with Caroline and is shot by his wife - Ralph Rackstraw decides to be Irish and the rest of the crew mutiny. It all sounds like a pretty normal group to me! Paul Buckle blundered and blustered as Barney, the romantically errant leading-man, egged on by Kevin Welch, as his more worldly wise friend Richard. Janet Holloway was a flirtatious delight as Aggie, Buttercup of the production, with Fiona Thomas, slinky and theatrical as chorus member, Christine. Howard Turnbull gave a larger than life performance as the autocratic Chairman, with Liz Howson as his patient wife Anne. Cheryl Payne, the rejected and complaining accompanist Doris, Rhiannon Rose, pert and pretty as the leading lady Sharon, Steve Davies, hesitant and bemused as new member Robert, and Kevin Morgan as Raymond, a dithering liability as Sir Joseph Porter, all added to the fun. As the cause of all their angst, Sarah-Jane Waters stormed and raged as the frustrated producer Caroline, to great effect. From endless rehearsals in chilly halls, we know all these people. Nigel Holloway's sparkling comedy holds up a mirror so we can recognise them - and perhaps enjoy a laugh at ourselves.

The review originally appeared in Spring 2009