NOT NOW DARLING ACTAD Theatre Group Union Hall (formerly The Promethean) Until 20 May 2006 Review by Laraine Ball How… do … you … like … your … comedy? This one was just like the little red engine from our childhood, I think I can… I think I can… I think I can. The trouble begins when Gilbert Bodley of Bodley, Bodley and Crouch (exclusive London Furriers) decides to buy his girlfriend a mink coat so that she will become his mistress. Unfortunately, the lady is already married so now he must get his business partner to entice her husband Harry into thinking he has bought the coat for her at a fabulous discount price. Eventually Harry is persuaded and he buys the coat, not for his wife however, but for his secretary Sue Lawson in payment for services rendered. But the wife will not be denied; she throws all her clothes out the window so they cannot take the coat off her. The situation now escalates, Glibert’s wife Maud arrives home early from her holiday, both mistresses have nothing to wear and are hiding, other customers and various husbands keep popping in and out along with the receptionist Miss Tipdale who is trying to keep up with everything. Glenn Vallen as Arnold Crouch is amazing, his facial expressions and body language are fantastic. Damien White is very adroit as Gilbert Bodley and Elizabeth Welling is marvellous as the levelheaded Miss Tipdale. Directed by Grant Lucas, these three are the mainstays of this production, but it begins too slowly. There are far too many pauses between lines, the timing is off and the pace doesn’t build until well into the second act. Still the script is good and the pace will certainly improve by the end of the run. Tess O’Flaherty as Janie McMichael plays the perfect pouting dazzling blonde, Keith Manson as her husband Harry McMichael is a splendid bully. John Matsen and Pat Vice as Mr and Mrs Frencham were gorgeous as the upper class customers they made the very most of their small scenes. The set was lovely and works very well and the costumes by Vi Rowe and friends were spot on. Like the little red engine this one will continue to puff till it gets right over the hill.