REVIEW
The Shell Seekers, Plaza Theatre, Romsey

THE play takes its title from the painting belonging to Penelope (Meriel Shepherd). It had been painted by her father, Lawrence (Frank Allen), one of the many artists who had flocked to Cornwall for the quality of the light.

His paintings are now valuable and Penelope’s small collection is being squabbled over by her children – grown-up, but still fractious.

The play is an adaptation of Rosamunde Pilcher’s novel. The structure of short scenes which skip rapidly from place to place and forward and backward in time makes it complex to stage without losing pace. The Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society production managed this feat admirably, with the minimum of scenery and the skill of the actors.

There were very convincing performances. The bickering between the siblings and their interactions with their exasperated mother drew both laughter and knowing winces from the audience. I was particularly impressed by Leighton Fort, who I have previously only seen in comic roles. Here he made excellent work of the contrast between painfully shy Danus and the lively, enthusiastic Richard.

Stuart Ardern National Operatic and Dramatic Association