"Passing Strangers" by Eric Chappell.

Riverside Drama Company.
Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

Here's a little gem of a play that I've not heard of, never mind seen before, and written by Eric Chappell. Now, if the name of the writer seems to ring a bell, he is the person who penned the brilliant "Rising Damp" on TV.

Malcolm takes his friend Clive to a singles’ evening at The Royal Hotel. Clive, a hospital porter masquerading as a doctor, has just been left by his wife, while Malcolm is a confirmed bachelor and “big in imports” - really a market stall trader. In the deserted hotel bar, to the depressing soundtrack of the next-door ballroom - well let's face it "Thorn In My Side" by Eurythmics is just what you want to hear at a singles night disco isn't it? - they meet two recent divorcees; upwardly-mobile Julie and cynical, defiant Liz.

Malcolm is determined to break down Liz’s defences while trying to pair off Clive with Julie. But the women have a few tricks of their own, and Malcolm soon finds that life, like the evening, is full of surprises.

Celia Billau plays Cynthia Lamour, the host for the singles evening, and it's incredible when something as basic as a wig can change how a person looks, as I had to look twice at Celia. Cynthia is typical of some of the Northern lady club hosts with the blond hair, glamorous costume and patter, but we never did get to hear those jokes did we.......

Donna Osmond plays Liz, who is a recent divorcee, has been dragged to the singles night by her mate, Julie. She volleys away Malcolm's advances in the same way as Serena Williams would volley a tennis ball onslaught.

John Sully plays Malc, a seasoned singles-bar cruiser and the oldest swinger in town. He uses one of the oldest chat up lines ever - well so I'm led to believe - the one that states that he knew her from a while ago, all in an effort to strike up some past event that they may have in common.

Malc has some brilliant comic, and cheesy, lines but none are working on Liz. Malc is a Liverpudlian, but I can't remember if he had an accent when I last saw John in "Caramba's Revenge". If Malc isn't a Scouse, then he has an excellent and fluent ear and ability for accents, because I certainly believed that accent throughout.

Jonathan Greaves plays Clive, who is still madly in love with his ex and isn't bothered about spouting this fact to Malc, as well as to Julie. Julie is very impressed that Clive is a doctor, and sets Clive in her sights, but the truth will always out, especially when there's a need for a doctor mid way through the evening at the singles night!

Lizzie Norris plays the upwardly mobile Julie. Julie loves a second hand - sorry, that should be "pre-loved" bargain - which is probably why she is at a singles night! Julie is in no way backwards at coming forwards, but only if the standing and status is right for her, she wouldn't just match up with just anyone like a hospital porter. Her history of previous dates bear evidence to that!

The script is very funny, with many lines that you may even know - possibly used - back in your dating days. Liz certainly put Malc in his place when he says that "he thought that he was going to die young", to which she retorted, "well, you didn't". Talk about a cat with her claws out!

There's so many brilliantly comical and bitchy swashbuckling of lines between the two couples, and then there's a rather superb twist in the tail for one of the couples.

Directed by Jonathan Greaves, this is not his first connection with this play, so he knows exactly what is needed in this production, and delivers a wonderfully sharp piece of theatre. If I am advised correctly the role of Cynthia is normally just a voice over, but Jonathan, and Assistant Director Liz Turner have given a physical role to the hostess with mostest, with Celia Billeau.

The set design and construction is thanks to Bob Baron. Three tables, six chairs, a backdrop of glittery working men's club style curtaining and a lovely electric screen advertising the singles night, courtesy of Dave Martin.

I am so pleased that with the props, the glasses were actually filled with actual orange juice and a red liquid cocktail. Sandra Read is responsible for the props on show.

The Cast provided the costumes and I loved the "mink" that Julie wore. That coat itself gave rise to a lovely comedy routine between Julie and Liz regarding the "previous owner".

Sound design is by Keith Salway, and as the main area for the play is on the other side of the dancefloor doors, the music was muted but with seepage of some lovely cheesy floor fillers.

Lighting design is by Rob Osmond, and with the whole show being set in just one place, the bar area, well just away from the bar area, but away from the actual dancefloor, we got the lighting of a "mature" singles night disco affect. Sometimes less is more to create the right atmosphere and that really worked well in this production.

If you liked the quick fire and acutely observed comedy of "Rising Damp", you will love this comedy play. many moons ago I used to provide the "disco" for a singles club, and instantly recognised all four characters from back in the day, which could be why I found this play such a joy.

There were a couple of prompts needed, which I wouldn't have expected at this stage of the run, but this is quite a wordy script.

"Passing Strangers" is at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 16 March. Make sure this play doesn't pass you by!!