Death in Act Two

CHRISTOPHER SMITH

St Edmund's Hall, Southwold

Graham Richard's new comedy thriller is a holiday cocktail bubbling with laughs and more twists than a couple of slices of lemon.

Anyone can guess what happens in Act Two. But how the deed is done is a secret the first night audience and your reviewer were particularly asked not to reveal.

It is no mystery, though, that the play fits Jill Freud like a glove, so to speak, as she acts her socks off.

As Honor, with a name which could be clue, she takes the part of an ageing actress making ends meet by running a holiday let in Mallorca.

She is the sensible one in a nicely developed contrast with her stage-husband (Jeffrey Perry).

Not content with doing the chores, fixing the video and cleaning out the swimming pool, she cleverly brings an instant touch of romance when she recalls a dance routine which made her famous.

Michael Shaw is the accomplished joker in this three card trick.

A large man, he does more than dominate the scene. How?

Very skilfully.

Sorry, mum's the word!