Tipton St John Players & Pantomime Society recently presented the comedy Miranda by Peter Blackmore, at the Community Hall directed under the expert eye of Janet Farrow.
With a reasonable house for a matinee, the lights dimmed, and we were gently transported back to the late 1940s by the rippling show music reminiscent of waves on a seashore.
The curtains opened to a stunning set, receiving a well-deserved round of applause, representing the sitting room, overlooking the River Thames, of physician Paul Marten and his wife Clare.
The story unfolded quickly, and the characters were introduced.
It transpired that Paul was returning from a fishing trip to Cornwall with a patient, Miranda Trewella, who was to stay for three weeks under observation, according to Clare’s description "some old dear who can’t walk".
"Red herrings" abounded from the outset.
Housekeeper Betty took a call about 1,000 halibut tablets, and lots of other fishy items seemed to have been ordered for Miranda!
A newly engaged couple, Isobel and Nigel arrived from Paris, and chauffeur Charles and nurse Cary, engaged by Paul to look after the patient, made up the cast.
Miranda was definitely not what they were expecting!
Lively and glamorous, with flowing blond locks she was determined to make the most of everything London had to offer.
Captivating all the men from the outset, she caused mayhem, each believing that they were "the one".
Mo Mylne was fabulous as Miranda, the cunningly disguised mermaid, fluttering her eyelashes frantically at Nigel, confidently played by Ken Mylne, from their first encounter.
Natural performances came from Brian Rice and Sue Hulley as Charles and Betty, while Vivienne Gascoigne-Pees made a delightful nurse.
Sue Doggett was a wily Clare, finally "hooking out" the truth and was well-partnered by Michael Gascoigne-Pees as a very dapper and duplicitous Paul.
The costumes were striking, just right for the characters.
The lighting and sound were well executed, with the balcony scene particularly effective.
Miranda quietly slipped away into the river at the end, but was she by chance harbouring a small secret?
All entertaining and good fun with a great company feel.
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